Three Journalists Arrested After Clash While Reporting in Odisha, India

July 27, 2025 – India –

Three web-based journalists were detained in Talcher, Odisha, after a confrontation erupted while they were covering protests at a local coal mine. The incident involved clashes between journalists and protestors, during which the reporters were accused of interfering with law enforcement efforts. Police arrested the journalists on charges including obstruction of duty and unlawful assembly.

Eyewitnesses report that the reporters were attempting to film the protest when they became entangled in the demonstration. Local authorities claim the journalists disregarded warnings to step back and subsequently hindered police from dispersing the crowd. The journalists were held for questioning overnight before being released on bail.

Press associations in Odisha have expressed concern over the arrests, arguing that the journalists were performing their professional duty by documenting the protest. They called on law enforcement to differentiate between active combatants and media workers who are simply reporting. Legal experts warn that charging journalists under public-order laws for doing their job sets a troubling precedent for press freedom.

Regardless of the clash, there was no indication that the reporters initiated violence or caused harm. Advocates insist on procedural justice, urging authorities to expedite investigations and avoid punitive action against media professionals. The episode has sparked debate across the state about the boundaries of press access and the rights of journalists during coverage of civil unrest.

References

https://www.prameyanews.com/three-web-journalists-arrested-after-clash-in-odishas-talcher

https://ommcomnews.com/odisha-news/three-journalists-arrested-after-clash-in-talcher/