Press Club of India seeks withdrawal of FIR against journalist in Himachal Pradesh

The Press Club of India (PCI) on Sunday (August 3, 2025) urged Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to intervene and withdraw a first information report (FIR) registered by the Shimla police against a journalist and a news portal.

The Club criticised the police action against journalist Sanjeev Sharma and the news portal Samwad Bharat, terming it “a clear attempt to intimidate and silence independent journalism”.

“The FIR alleges that the journalist spread misinformation and tarnished the image of the police. In reality, Sharma and Samwad Bharat merely reposted a Facebook message by the son of a road accident victim, who raised serious concerns about the police’s delayed response despite multiple emergency calls,” the Club said, adding that the journalist’s post highlighted valid concerns and demanded accountability.

“Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Across the country, there is a growing trend of targeting journalists who raise critical questions. Intimidation, harassment, and legal action are increasingly being used to suppress press freedom. A journalist exercising their democratic right to question state authority must not be met with criminal charges. This FIR reflects a disturbing pattern irrespective of who is in power, which should not be the case,” it said, adding that such actions erode public trust and endanger the role of the press in a democratic country.

“We urge the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, to personally look into the matter and order the withdrawal of the FIR immediately and uphold constitutional protections for freedom of speech and expression,” the Club said.