On Friday, May 16, 2025, several news organizations expressed concern about the arrest of the owner of Bahubali Shah Gujarat SamachalThe Enforcement Bureau noted that the move “reflects an unsettling attack on press freedom and democratic values”. |Picture source: Getty Images/Istockphoto
Several news organizations expressed concerns about arresting Bahubali Shah on Friday (May 16, 2025) Gujarat SamachalThe Enforcement Bureau noted that the move “reflects an unsettling attack on press freedom and democratic values”.
In a joint statement, the Indian Press Club, the Indian Women’s Press Association, the Delhi Journalists Alliance, the Kerala Working Journalists Alliance and the Working News Photographers Association called “for “the immediate release of the owner unless reliable evidence is provided in a transparent manner”.
“The famous publication with a long-standing existence in independent journalism, Gujarat Samachal This is a crucial voice for people in Gujarat and beyond. ED’s arrest again raised questions about the abuse of state machinery to mock media houses and suppress dissent. ”
“The repeated actions of ED and allied agencies against the media have undoubtedly undermined the fundamental principles of democracy contained in the Constitution and eroded the trust of public institutions in the institutions. We demand maximum transparency about the allegations and urge authorities to ensure proper procedures, fairness and compliance with the legal rules,” the statement said. ”
“The media plays a crucial role in occupying power, which is increasingly important in a normal democracy. Hunting of media and media personnel should stop. We further urge the government to protect the independence of the press with strong democratic interests. We also call for the immediate release of owners, unless there is reliable evidence, to present reliable evidence in a horizontal manner,” they added.
publishing – May 16, 2025 at 08:38 pm IST
