New Delhi, The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has expressed its deep concern over the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) by Kerala police against a female reporter from the television channel 24 News. The FIR relates to the reporter’s coverage of a student protest on December 10, during which shoes were hurled at a bus carrying the Chief Minister and some cabinet members.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the FIR against reporter Vinitha V.G. includes charges of criminal conspiracy under section 120B. The police in Kuruppampady have issued her a notice to appear for interrogation. The Editors Guild, while not condoning any acts of violence, has strongly criticized the police action against the reporter. It emphasized that covering protests is a fundamental responsibility of the media and should not be criminalized. The presence of a reporter at a protest site, the Guild argues, does not implicate them in any ensuing incident.

The EGI has called on the Government of Kerala to refrain from penalizing the reporter for performing her professional duties. The Guild urges the government to direct the police to withdraw the charges and to uphold the principles of press freedom. This incident raises concerns about the freedom of the press and the risks journalists face while covering protests and contentious events.