NBA slams attack on scribes by Dera goons post CBI court’s verdict

The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has condemned the brutal assault on journalists and camerapersons and attack on OB vans of member news broadcasters after clashes broke out yesterday (August 25, 2017) upon the CBI Court in Panchkula giving its verdict that Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insaan is guilty of rape. 

In a press statement, NBA stated that the entire nation was watching on television how the followers of the Dera Chief were pelting stones, damaging OB vans and beating up journalists and camerapersons who were merely performing their duty of reporting the events. The supporters also attacked and damaged public property. 

The statement added, “NBA considers this violence as an attack on the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression of the media/ press” and urged the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab to take action urgently to bring the situation under control in order that the media/press are able to perform their duties without fear. 

“The Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab must take exemplary action against the culprits to ensure that such shameful incidents are not repeated in future,” the NBA said.