Times Network condemns attack on three reporters covering CJP protest, says 'these assaults cannot be justified under any circumstances'

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Times Network stated that its reporters - Dev Kotak, Shafali Nigam and Jyoti Mishra - were attacked while reporting from the CJP-led protest in the national capital.

Times Network has strongly condemned the alleged assault on three of its journalists while they were covering protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, describing the incidents as an attack on press freedom and a threat to democratic values.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the media organisation stated that its reporters - Dev Kotak, Shafali Nigam and Jyoti Mishra - were attacked while reporting from the CJP-led protest in the national capital.

The network said reporting from the ground is not only a journalist's professional responsibility but also a constitutional right guaranteed under the freedom of speech and expression.

"Reporting from the ground is not just the duty of journalists; it is a Constitutionally guaranteed right flowing from the freedom of speech and expression. Any obstruction to this, therefore, is not only illegal but needs to be deplored and criticised," the statement said.

STATEMENT FROM TIMES NETWORK

"Times Network strongly condemns the reprehensible attacks on our reporters—Dev Kotak, Shafali Nigam, and Jyoti Mishra—while they were covering protests in New Delhi.

Reporting from the ground is not just the duty of journalists; it is a Constitutionally guaranteed right flowing from the freedom of speech and expression. Any obstruction to this, therefore, is not only illegal but needs to be deplored and criticised.

The manner in which some persons chose to express their disagreement through violence can have a chilling effect on the free movement and functioning of journalists across India, which is not in the interests of democracy. We may differ in views, but we cannot take the law into our own hands.

Our reporters risk their safety every day to bring viewers and readers facts from the ground from every side as events unfold. Attempts at intimidation will never deter us from doing our job and will only strengthen our resolve towards impartial dissemination of news and views while fulfilling our duty as enshrined in the Constitution. For instance, our reporters have been covering the CJP protests at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, in an entirely neutral manner but despite that, Dev Kotak was singled out and assaulted in the most reprehensible manner. Similarly, Shafali Nigam and Jyoti Mishra were targeted simply for doing their jobs, while enduring physical attacks and a barrage of abuse and intimidation.

These assaults—especially against women journalists carrying out their professional duties—cannot be justified under any circumstances."