ITANAGAR, OCT 5:
The Arunachal Press Club (APC) and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) have expressed concern over reported restrictions on news reports and video content related to the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) on social media platforms in India.
In a joint statement on Monday, the two organisations said several journalists in Arunachal Pradesh had reported that videos and other journalistic content related to SUMP had either become inaccessible in India or that access to their accounts or content had been restricted. In some cases, users were reportedly informed that the content had been temporarily restricted pursuant to legal requirements under India’s Information Technology rules.
Describing the developments as a matter of concern, APC and APUWJ said SUMP was an issue of significant public interest involving development, environment, displacement, indigenous rights and the future of communities along the Siang.
The organisations said that with the project witnessing public debate, protests and dialogue between the government and affected communities, restrictions on legitimate journalistic reports could affect the public’s access to information necessary for informed discussion.
They urged the competent authorities to clarify whether any directions had been issued to social media platforms to restrict SUMP-related reports, videos, accounts or other journalistic content. If any such action had been initiated by a government authority or agency, they sought disclosure of its legal basis, authority and specific grounds.
APC and APUWJ said any restrictions on bona fide journalism should be transparent and subject to due process, particularly when reports concern protests, public reactions, interviews and differing views on an issue of public importance.
The organisations maintained that journalists reporting on SUMP were performing their professional duties and said reporting opposition to a project did not amount to opposing the government, while reporting a protest did not imply endorsement of it.
They called upon the competent authorities to restore legitimate journalistic content if it had been restricted solely in connection with SUMP reporting and provide an explanation for restrictions imposed on journalists or news organisations.
The two press bodies also urged social media platforms to ensure that legitimate journalistic content was not indiscriminately affected by content-restriction mechanisms and that affected journalists were provided meaningful avenues for review and appeal.
APC and APUWJ said they would support journalists engaged in legitimate reporting on SUMP and other matters of public interest and would pursue appropriate democratic and legal avenues against unexplained restrictions on journalism.
