Indian TV channels, inspired by Radio Rwanda that caused genocide in Africa, targeting Muslims: Editors Guild of India

The Editors Guild of India has criticized the irresponsible conduct of Indian news channels for deliberately creating circumstances that target Muslim community by spewing hatred towards them and their beliefs.

This comes in the wake of an international outcry over BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s insulting remarks on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

EGI statement said that there was a riot in Kanpur accompanied by an unprecedented trenchant reaction from many countries that were offended by the remarks of the ruling party spokespersons. A reference to the “Expel Hindus from Arab World and Boycott Indian Products” campaign launched in the Arab world against the blasphemous acts by the ruling BJP top officials.

“The incident that caused unnecessary embarrassment to the country could have been avoided if some of the TV outlets had been mindful of the nation’s constitutional commitment to secularism, as well as the journalistic ethics and guidelines that the Press Council of India has issued to handle a volatile communal situation,” it said.

EGI added that some of the new channels are inspired by the values of Radio Rwanda whose incendiary broadcast caused genocide in the African nation.

The organisation called for stricter vigilance by broadcaster and journalist bodies to prevent a recurrence of this from taking place.

“The media is in place to strengthen the Constitution and the law and not break it through sheer irresponsibility and absence of accountability,” it said.