Hyderabad, Jan 14 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, expressed his strong disapproval on Wednesday regarding the detention of TV journalists by Telangana authorities, labeling it an assault on press freedom and democratic principles.

The leader of the YSR Congress Party took to 'X' to voice his concerns over the arrest of journalists from the Telugu news outlet NTV, which was implicated in airing alleged defamatory material about a Telangana minister and a female IAS officer.

“I categorically denounce the apprehension of NTV journalists, as it constitutes a blatant infringement on the freedom of the press and the core values of democracy. The act of forcefully entering journalists’ residences at midnight, particularly during a festive season, to arrest them without adhering to legal protocols or issuing notifications is utterly disgraceful and highlights an autocratic attitude,” stated Jagan Mohan Reddy.

“Journalists are neither criminals nor terrorists; they are being subjected to undue severity. Such measures not only cause profound psychological distress to their families but also instill fear within the media community. I demand the immediate release of the detained journalists and implore the government to honor the Constitution, maintain the rule of law, and safeguard press freedom,” he further asserted.

In a related development, the National Union of Journalists-India condemned the “unlawful” detainment of senior journalists by Telangana police, characterizing it as a serious infringement on democracy and constitutional liberties, demanding their swift release.

In a letter addressed to the Telangana DGP, NUJ-I President Ras Bihari and senior figure Silveri Srishailam expressed strong discontent over the arrest of senior journalists Dontu Ramesh, Paripoorna Chary, and Sudheer, in relation to a news segment aired on NTV regarding a state cabinet minister.

“The manner in which these arrests transpired reveals a critical breakdown of democratic governance. Despite the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), the State Government allowed police to detain journalists without any prior notice, summons, or opportunity for explanation, clearly violating the principles of natural justice, due process, and constitutional protections afforded to all citizens,” the letter articulated.

“Journalists are not offenders; they are professionals fulfilling their duty of informing the public. The arrest of journalists over a news report sends a perilous signal that the government is intolerant of scrutiny and dissent. Such actions instill fear among media professionals and equate to the criminalization of journalism, which is unacceptable in a democratic framework,” it added.

While NUJ-I clarified that it does not condone journalism that breaches the law or engages in personal slander, they emphasized that no democratic government has the authority to misuse police resources to intimidate journalists.

“If there were indeed issues with the news report, the government had numerous lawful options available, such as seeking clarification, issuing notices, or pursuing appropriate legal channels. Resorting to arrests is the most extreme measure and indicates authoritarian motives. It is the duty of the State Government to uphold press freedom under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. The current actions of the Telangana Police, executed with the knowledge and endorsement of the Government, are a direct assault on democracy and constitutional values,” they concluded.