Beyond mob violence, photojournalists are increasingly facing aggressive equipment seizures by local law enforcement during public demonstrations. Authorities frequently confiscate memory cards, deliberately break lenses, or illegally detain camerapersons under the guise of “crowd control.” This alarming tactic actively prevents critical visual reporting from reaching newsrooms.

Bharat Media Association views these unwarranted seizures as a severe violation of press rights. We demand clear legal guidelines prohibiting police from tampering with, damaging, or seizing a journalist’s recording equipment without a strict and immediate judicial warrant.