India: CFWIJ Condemns Impediment Of Journalist Nidhi Suresh While Following Farmers Protest
Location: India
Date: February 4, 2021
Nidhi Suresh, a female journalist working for News Laundry, was impeded by police at Singhu border. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the impediment of reporters.
The journalist’s media outlet tweeted that she was stopped by police. Officials told her that it was not an “official ban” but only those journalists were allowed who had “national media authorized press cards”.
At around 6 pm today, police personnel posted at #Singhu border, refused entry to Newslaundry reporter @NidhiSuresh_.
— newslaundry (@newslaundry) February 2, 2021
A police official said this wasn't an 'official ban' but only journalists with 'national media authorised press cards' would be allowed to enter. pic.twitter.com/oP5sqpoL8F
Nidhi was at Singhu border to cover the farmers' protest as more protesters have stormed from Haryana towards the protest site there. After the impediment of the journalist at work, NDTV reported that the media's entry has been "restricted" at Singhu border.
Indian farmers' protests against the three farm bills passed by the Indian Parliament continue since 2020. The legislatures have been described as "anti-farmer laws'' by many trades and unions.
CFWIJ is closely following the attacks on journalists covering the farmers’ protest. Several women journalists were attacked while covering the farmers’ protests on the ground. Many of them are targeted with online trolling campaigns in India. We condemn threats and violence against women journalists over the country.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.