The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has urged editors and journalists to exercise the utmost restraint and observation of the highest professional standards that the communal disturbances have.
“While EGI is a cognizant of the hazards faced by on-the-ground reporters in riot-like situations, it is disillusioned to note that due diligence has been sought in the evaluation and presentation of reports between communities. This is especially evident in electronic, digital and social media, ”it said.
The guild said: “In order to understand the desire to be the first, and to catch the eye of news consumers, many editors and reporters appear to be rushing to conclusions, and assigning responsibilities to one or the other community. of the facts, context and calculations at work. ”
“This could have lasting implications. As the country shows in its long arc of communal violence, most of the cases are rarely what they seem to be on the surface. The patronage of politicians, police, officers and non-state actors is well documented. It is, therefore, the case for the editors to bring their experience and perspective to these surcharged times in the newsroom, ”it noted.
Stating that every journalist should make an extra effort to maintain fairness, neutrality and balance, as the EGI said they should “not allow themselves to become pawns in the larger game.”
“Journalism has many noble objectives as well as professional obligations. Helping preserve social peace and communal harmony — not fuelling rumors; by not being partisan; It is not just a citizen who is against a citizen – such a worthy professional obligation, ”it said.
