The Pune Union of Working Journalists has raised serious concerns about the treatment of media professionals during the 149th National Defence Academy passing out parade held on Sunday. The organization has written formal letters to the Chief of Defence Staff and top military officials protesting what they describe as inappropriate behavior towards accredited journalists.
Journalists Forced to Walk Out
According to the detailed complaint filed by PUWJ, media representatives faced significant challenges during the important national event. The designated seating arrangement for journalists was suddenly changed to a location that made proper coverage impossible. From this new position, photographers and videographers could neither capture clear images nor record proper audiovisual coverage of the reviewing officer's address.
The letter emphasized that this arrangement directly impacted the quality of reporting from the event. It prevented journalists from performing their professional duties effectively and undermined the role of the press in documenting important national events for public information.
Confrontation with Military Officer
The situation escalated when Major Pratap Singh Choudhary, one of the officers on duty, engaged in what the journalists described as rude and unprofessional behavior. When media representatives raised concerns about the inadequate seating arrangement, the officer reportedly told them, "You must walk out if you are not happy with this arrangement".
Adding to the tension, Major Choudhary allegedly stated, "I am not scared of anyone", demonstrating what the journalists considered an dismissive attitude toward their legitimate concerns. The intervention attempt by the Defence Public Relations Officer from Pune was also reportedly ignored during the confrontation.
Formal Inquiry Demanded
Following the unpleasant interaction, the media representatives made the decision to walk out of the event in protest. They remained in the parking area until the conclusion of the passing out parade, effectively boycotting the coverage of the remainder of the ceremony.
In their formal communication to military leadership, PUWJ has demanded a thorough investigation into the entire incident. The union wants authorities to identify both the causes behind the poor treatment of media professionals and those responsible for the situation. They emphasized that such incidents undermine the important relationship between the armed forces and the media during significant national events.
The NDA passing out parade represents a crucial moment in the careers of future military officers, and media coverage plays a vital role in bringing these important ceremonies to the public. The Pune Union of Working Journalists hopes their protest will lead to better arrangements and more respectful treatment of media professionals at future defense events.
