'High time' Republic TV behaves responsibly; object use of arbitrary state power against journalists: Editors Guild

Guild said it recognised it has potential to bring in much-needed transparency on the manipulation of popularity, and creation of 'proceeds of crime'

The Editors Guild of India on Monday objected to the "use of arbitrary state power" against the journalists of Republic TV even as it criticised the channel saying it was "high time" that it behaved responsibly and did not hurt the "collective credibility" of the media.

In a statement, the Guild said it was painful to see the "unedifying spectacle of hundreds of FIRs" being filed against journalists of Republic TV, which is under probe for allegedly manipulating Television Rating Points (TRPs) and spreading discontent against the Mumbai police.

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Asserting that it did not wish to influence the probe by the authorities, the Guild said it recognised it has the potential to bring in much-needed transparency on the manipulation of popularity, and creation of “proceeds of crime” as claimed by the police.

However, it added, "but the victimization of the journalists should immediately stop. The use of arbitrary state power is not and has never been in the interests of working journalists."

The Guild said the stand-off between the Mumbai Police and Republic TV was "unprecedented and threatens the tenuous but important" balance between media freedom and the imperative for it to reside within the rule of law. "Right to free speech does not mean a licence to promote hate speech," it said.

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“It is high time the channel behaves responsibly and not compromises the safety of its journalists as well as hurt the collective credibility of the media. The police must ensure that its investigation does not hurt the channel’s journalists or makes any arrests. And that the investigation does not become a tool to suppress media rights," it added.

Mumbai Police has registered a case in which it has accused Republic TV of manipulating TRP. In turn, the Republic TV has accused Mumbai Police of targeting it for its high-octane coverage of the suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, which had attracted criticism from several quarters.

"Besides the unsavoury details pertaining to the manipulation of TRPs, the Republic TV’s high-strung conduct during the unfortunate demise of film actor, Sushant Singh Rajput also raises issues about media credibility and the limits to reporting," the Guild said.

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It referred to the Mumbai High Court recently asking the channel's lawyer about harangue directed at actress Rhea Chakraborty. "The High Court asked a question that must be addressed by all: Is this part of investigative journalism? Asking the public about their opinion on who should be arrested? Also, the bench wondered whether the channel in the name of investigative journalism was encroaching into the domain of police."

Similar reservations about its conduct have been expressed even by News Broadcaster’s association (NBA) that disagrees with its reporting, the Guild said.

"These are important issues that should have been resolved long ago, but were allowed to fester,” it said.