UP journalist death: Editors Guild slam police for 'cavalier' probe

NEW DELHI: The Editors Guild of India has expressed shock at the 'cavalier manner' in which the Uttar Pradesh police is handling the case of TV journalist Sulabh Srivastava, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the guild alleged the UP Police had disregarded concerns about threat to his life, despite him writing to senior police officials.
Srivastava was found injured at a roadside on Sunday night, apparently after being involved in a bike accident. He died after being taken to a hospital.
The police had initially registered a case of accidental death, but is now probing it as murder following a complaint by Sulabh's wife. She has blamed the liquor mafia that Sulabh exposed in his reportage.
The guild has said that the media in India is under pressure from the central and state governments over following the official narrative in covering the Covid pandemic.
Journalists are being harassed, slapped with UAPA and arrested for being critical of the government, the guild has alleged, in contravention to spirit of free press as laid down in several court judgments.
The guild also said that social media platforms are being forced to remove posts critical of the authorities on pretext of being violative of laws.
The guild's statement said that the hardline approach towards journalists is contrary to PM Modi's speech at the recent G7 meeting advocating democracy and openness.