UP Congress Chief urges NHRC to probe criminal cases against journalists

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai has asked the National Human Rights Commission to launch an independent inquiry into what he called a rising trend of criminal cases and police action against journalists, digital media professionals and independent reporters in the state, according to a party statement issued Thursday, July 30.

Rai urged the NHRC to examine whether the use of criminal laws against journalists was harming freedom of expression and press freedom, the UP Congress said.

In a letter to the NHRC chairperson, Rai said freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and an independent media are cornerstones of a democratic system. "If journalists are unable to report on issues of public interest without fear, it will not only affect the media but also weaken democratic accountability and the rights guaranteed to citizens," he said.

Rai alleged that several criminal cases filed against journalists, digital media personnel and independent reporters in Uttar Pradesh in recent years have become a matter of national concern. He cited an FIR registered against senior journalist Abhishek Upadhyay at Hazratganj police station in Lucknow on June 27, noting another case was filed against him in 2024.

He also referenced cases involving journalist Mamta Tripathi, reporters from The Wire, Alt News co-founder and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair, and the late journalist Vinod Dua.

Rai said organizations including the Editors Guild of India and the Committee to Protect Journalists, along with legal experts, journalist bodies and civil society members, have raised concerns over such actions.

He asked the NHRC to independently review all criminal cases registered against journalists, digital media workers and independent reporters in Uttar Pradesh since 2020. He also called on the commission to seek a consolidated report from the state government and the director general of police, and to obtain expert opinions from the Editors Guild of India, the Press Club of India, the CPJ and recognized journalists' associations in the state before issuing recommendations to protect press freedom, according to the statement.