BJP decision on CNN-IBN uncalled for: Editors Guild

The Editors Guild of India has expressed shock at the pressure tactics being adopted by the BJP against television channel CNN-IBN. Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said his party would boycott the channel if it did not immediately telecast the tapes of the sting operation carried out in concert with BJP MPs in New Delhi on July 22 in connection with the vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha. The BJP leader has accused the channel of succumbing to Government and corporate pressure.

The Guild in a press statement on Friday said the freedom of an editor to publish or telecast any news item could not be subject to the approval or disapproval of a political party. It said the party8217;s decision was uncalled for since the editor of CNN-IBN had made it public that the investigation into the bribery case was incomplete and only if all the facts were authenticated, the channel would telecast the tapes.

The Guild has called upon all editors to resist such pressure tactics from political parties and leaders which infringe upon the freedom of the press.