The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) urges the authorities in the Indian state of Assam to urgently investigate the likelihood that there may have been an attempt on the life of Ms Manoranjana Sinh, chairman and managing director of NETV, a news and entertainment broadcast network serving India’s north-eastern region.
According to reports from the Indian Journalists’ Union, an IFJ affiliate, Ms Sinh was driving to her office in the state capital of Guwahati during the early hours of February 10, 2008, when her car was fired upon from a passing vehicle.
Ms Sinh has alleged negligence or worse by the local police since the attack happened within a short distance of two security checkpoints at either end of the road on which her TV studio is located.
“We have been informed that NETV has been gaining audiences and credibility with its reporting on matters of public interest in Assam and neighbouring states of the north-east of India”, said Jacqueline Park, IFJ’s Director for the Asia-Pacific. “Since this has reportedly led to some resentment among those in authority, we seek an early reassurance from the state government of Assam, that there has been no effort to intimidate the chief of the news and entertainment channel”.
The IFJ is aware that journalists in the north-east of India work in a highly challenging environment because of the unsettled security situation. “We urge the authorities in the region to respect the rights of journalists and ensure that they are given sufficient security to carry out their duties”, said Park.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
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