Journalists stage demonstrations

Panaji, June 8 (UNI) Journalists, under the banner of Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ), today staged demonstrations in front of the office of the Chief Electoral officer of Goa at Altinho in the capital, protesting curbs on the freedom of press during the coverage of assembly elections counting process.

The mediapersons shouted slogans seeking restoration of the freedom of the press. Their attempt to 'gherao' the Chief Electoral Officer failed as he was out of station.

They conveyed their resentment to the office incharge against the ill-treatment meted out to the fraternity on the counting day on June 5.

The Union regretted the high-handedness of certain election officers, who had ill-treated the mediapersons at various counting centres both in North and South Goa and pointed out poor facilities at the media centers for disseminating election news.

The circular banning the mobile phones for the media at the counting centres was issued only one day prior to the counting day and speaks of curbs on freedom of press, according to GUJ president Suhasini Prabhugaonkar.

The journalists, she said, had also decided to take up the issue at the national media fora and fight for restoration of the precious media freedom at the counting centres.

UNI