The Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) has strongly condemned Mohan Gaonkar, a Zilla Parishad member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for allegedly threatening a journalist during an event organised by the Department of Information and Publicity.
In a statement, the GUJ termed the incident a serious and unacceptable act, describing it as a direct attack on press freedom and democratic values. The journalists’ body demanded an unconditional apology from Gaonkar for his alleged conduct.
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The GUJ has also sought the immediate intervention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, urging him to take strict action against the ZP member and ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
“This kind of intimidation of journalists is an assault on democracy. The government must send out a clear message that threats against the media will not be tolerated,” the union stated.
Reiterating its commitment to safeguarding the rights and safety of journalists, the GUJ warned that any attempt to silence or intimidate members of the press would be strongly opposed and brought to public attention.
