The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal expresses profound happiness and satisfaction over the landmark decision by the Punjab & Haryana High Court in favour of the journalists against whom FIRs had been registered by the Punjab government. This ruling marks a significant victory for press freedom and the constitutional right to free speech in the state.
The court’s judgment reaffirms that asking questions, reporting facts, and holding authorities accountable cannot be criminalised. By protecting these fundamental rights, the judiciary has sent a clear message that independent journalism is a cornerstone of democracy and must be safeguarded from intimidation or coercion. NAPA has consistently maintained that the FIRs registered against the journalists were an act of harassment that threatened the integrity of free and fair reporting. Today’s decision restores faith in democratic institutions and underscores the judiciary’s role as a guardian of civil liberties and press freedom.
Speaking on the occasion, Satnam Singh Chahal said, “When asking questions becomes a crime, democracy itself stands in the dock. Today’s judgment is not just a victory for the journalists involved, but for press freedom across the country.” NAPA urges the Punjab government to fully respect the spirit of the court’s ruling, withdraw any remaining coercive actions against journalists, and ensure that state power is not misused to silence independent voices in the future. A free press is not an adversary of the state—it is a pillar of democracy.
NAPA reaffirms its commitment to standing firmly with journalists, media workers, and all defenders of free expression, remaining vigilant against any attempts to curtail the essential role of the press in society