The targeting of Siddharth Varadarajan, Karan Thapar & The Wire by the regime is yet another attempt to flatten what remains as one of the last few bastions of journalistic ethos and editorial courage in India. In the context of an entire media ecosystem of lies, platitudes, misinformation, hate and jingoism, The Wire stands out for giving space to critical and public interest reportage that holds power to account. The fact that the Assam Police is targeting them with sedition despite Supreme Court’s protection from arrest in another similar case is deeply disturbing. We note with concern the utter disregard for due process as the copy of the FIR, and description of the alleged offence has not been provided to Siddharth Varadarajan and Karan Thapar. The targeting of the two journalists is an assault on all institutions and civic spaces upholding free expression. We salute the courage and resolve of The Wire and its journalists for remaining steadfast to journalistic ethics in the face of repeated assaults. We here at the Centre for Financial Accountability are both proud and grateful for our long association with The Wire and we stand firm in our solidarity with the two journalists.
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