Republic TV: Mumbai cops want newsroom access, we won't give it

 Republic TV claims that the police officials have been directed to gather contact details and addresses of every member of the Republic newsdesk.

In a fresh twist in the Mumbai Police investigations against Republic TV, the channel has claimed that a 'draconian 1922 law' has been invoked by the cops to gain access to the newsroom.

Republic TV claims that the police officials have been directed to gather contact details and addresses of every member of the Republic newsdesk.

The channel also claims that the police, in its latest notice, wants intricate newsroom details along including login IDs of every individual who entered the office on the day when a story on Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh's officers allegedly being unhappy with his leadership was aired. 

Alleging that this was the biggest attack on the press since the emergency, Republic TV said in a statement: "We will not give the Mumbai Police access to the Republic newsroom software or passwords, editorial intricacies or the private details of our employees. We will not share any information that gives the Mumbai Police active or tacit access to our newsroom. This action by the Mumbai Police is an illegality."

Besides this case, Republic TV is under investigation for alleged manipulation of Television Rating Points.

Few days ago, the Editors Guild of India had come out in support of journalists working with Republic TV after the Mumbai Police registered a First Information Report against them.

In a statement, the Editor's Guild said: "The use of arbitrary state power is not and has never been in the interests of working journalists."