The Editors’ Guild of India on Wednesday condemned the erosion of right to practise free and independent journalism because of “inability” of media owners to withstand pressures from the political establishment as well as frequent “ blocking or interference” in broadcast of content critical of the government.

Describing as “ disconcerting” resignations of journalists from a TV channel allegedly because of pressure from the government to tone down their criticism, the editors’ body said: “The Guild decries all attempts on the part of the government to interfere in the free and independent functioning of journalists, either put under pressure directly, or through the proprietors. It also reminds media owners that institutional strength and respect is directly linked to editorial independence and undermining the former can result in curtailing the latter.”

The body called the instances of the alleged blocking of signals of programmes critical of government “ even more worrying” and “almost Orwelian”. “One TV channel has also shared with the Guild screen-shots and details indicating such interference. Such attempts strike at the root of media freedom and indeed the foundations of our democracy . These underline the right to be informed and hold the establishment accountable. There seems a brazen attempt to punish ‘unfriendly’ news channels and inconvenient voices,” it said.

Demanding that government investigate and explain the alleged attempt to block coverage, the Guild said suitable action should be taken against those responsible for seeking to throttle media freedom. “It (government) must also assure the nation that directly or through any proxies or agencies, it isn’t involved in this activity. And if it isn’t , these saboteurs must be brought to book. Freedom of airwaves cannot be tampered with,” said the Guild.

It exhorted proprietors to “not to cow down to political pressure being brought upon them by the government or any other forces”, saying “owners and journalists have an equally shared interest in press freedom and resisting pressures”.

