The recent action by Kerala’s Crime Branch against a journalist has sparked widespread protests among local media and journalists, as the state’s press comes together to defend the freedom of the press. Aniru Ashokan, a reporter for the Malayalam daily Madhyamam, is facing the brunt of police intervention after exposing a significant data breach involving the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Ashokan’s investigative report revealed the alleged leakage of sensitive login credentials belonging to approximately 6.5 million PSC job applicants. The information, according to Ashokan’s findings, had been hacked and was subsequently sold on the dark web. The report raised serious concerns about the security of the personal data of thousands of job applicants across the state. The Crime Branch’s response to Ashokan’s report was swift, with police questioning the journalist and later issuing a notice to Madhyamam newspaper, demanding details on how the sensitive document was accessed.
The police action has caused a stir, with many questioning the motives behind it. The Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) organized a march to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) on Tuesday, protesting the notice issued to Ashokan and the seizure of his mobile phone. Journalists from across the state joined the march, including those from Kochi, Kozhikode, and Kannur, to show solidarity with Ashokan and defend press freedoms that they believe are under threat.
The controversy has drawn reactions from political leaders and journalists alike. Senior Congress leader M. M. Hassan condemned the police’s actions as a violation of press freedom, calling the police’s move “fascist” and an attempt to intimidate journalists from revealing crucial information. Hassan urged the government to reconsider its stance, stating that the questioning of a journalist for revealing such information was an unacceptable infringement on free speech.
On the other hand, some have defended the Crime Branch’s action, arguing that the move was necessary to prevent further harm from the exposure of sensitive information. However, the overwhelming sentiment among journalists in Kerala is one of concern for the autonomy of the press and the potential consequences for investigative reporting.
In response to the police’s actions, Madhyamam Daily has vowed to take legal action to defend its reporter. The newspaper has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ashokan’s rights and standing firm against any attempts to stifle journalistic integrity.
As the story continues to develop, the Kerala press remains united in their stance against actions that they see as an encroachment on press freedom, with many journalists fearing that such incidents could set a dangerous precedent for future reporting.
Sources By Agencies
