Journalists Protest Threats and Insults, Seek Action Against Government Officials

Journalists at Basugaon Press Club, donning black badges in a show of solidarity, staged a protest within the press club premises. The demonstration, conducted in collaboration with various organizations, aimed to denounce threats and insults directed at journalists by government officials, particularly in response to critical news coverage of the administration. The protest was triggered by threats received by senior journalist Jayanta Debnath of Chirang after reporting on the prolonged absence of Circle Officer Gyandeep Neog. Debnath, in collaboration with Basugaon Press Club, filed an FIR against Neog and Astika Bora, detailing the threats and derogatory comments made over the phone. Leaders and activists at the protest condemned the mistreatment of journalists, considering it an assault on the fourth pillar of democracy, and called for immediate administrative intervention and strict action against the implicated officer couple.