Kolkata: A tense situation unfolded at Jadavpur University as Republic Bangla reporters encountered obstacles while covering an ongoing protest at the institution. The incident has sparked discussions on press freedom and the challenges journalists face while reporting from sensitive locations.
Republic Bangla reporter Pinki, who was covering the developments, stated that she was temporarily held inside the registrar’s office and urged to delete footage she had recorded. “We are inside the registrar’s room. They asked us to delete the video footage. This is not a private area. This is Aurobindo Bhawan. This is an open space. What are they scared of?” she said while reporting from within the university premises.
Another Republic Bangla journalist, Bhaskar, was also briefly held inside the office while performing his reporting duties. Meanwhile, Republic Bangla reporter Hridita encountered a challenging situation when a crowd forced her off campus while she was reporting live. However, she later re-entered the university, continuing her coverage and seeking responses from those involved.
During the commotion, Republic Bangla’s Santu Pan raised questions regarding the presence of an ‘Azad Kashmir’ poster within the university and inquired whether any steps had been taken to remove it.
The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of media freedom and the challenges faced by journalists working in politically charged environments. Press freedom organizations and media professionals have expressed concern over the difficulties journalists encounter, especially in situations where they seek to report on issues of public interest.
Republic Bangla has reiterated its commitment to fearless journalism, emphasizing that it will continue to report on critical issues without intimidation. The network has called for accountability regarding the challenges its reporters faced at Jadavpur University.
Republic Media Network’s Editor-in-Chief, Arnab Goswami, addressed the issue, strongly condemning any attempts to obstruct journalists from carrying out their work. He reaffirmed Republic Bangla’s stance against any form of press intimidation and underscored the importance of media freedom in a democratic society.
This is not the first time Republic Bangla has reported challenges while covering politically sensitive issues in West Bengal. The network has previously raised concerns over alleged attempts to hinder its reporting through intimidation and legal pressures.
The developments at Jadavpur University have once again ignited discussions on the role of the media and the need for a safe and unrestricted environment for journalists to carry out their duties. The focus now shifts to whether steps will be taken to ensure press freedom remains protected in all public institutions.
