IFJ condemns arrest of TV reporter Naveen Soorinje

IFJ condemns arrest of TV reporter Naveen Soorinje

Mangalore Today

Mangalore, Nov 13: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which has more than 600,000 members from 131 countries, has condemned the arrest of Kasturi TV channel reporter Naveen Soorinje in connection with the Mangalore home stay attack of July 28.

Soorinje has been booked on counts of unlawful assembly, rioting, criminal trespass, and intent to inflict violence of women.

Voicing its opinion on the issue, the Asia Pacific region of the IFJ has urged those concerned to recognize the “public purpose that Soorinje’s work has served.” In a press release, the association has stated: “We appreciate the debate that the incident has triggered among journalists about the proper and ethical response to such situations. We call on the police authorities to allow room for this debate to develop and not preempt a reasonable conclusion through harsh and vengeful actions.”

Besides, the association stated that the attack is part of several attacks by a fundamentalist group that has become notorious for moral policing activities. It also pointed out that Soorinje’s report and the accompanying footage helped the police in arresting those responsible for the act.