Police Seize Phones of Journalists During SIT Raid at Reporter TV

Kochi: The police raid at the head quarters of Reporter TV has disrupted the functioning of the media organisation , with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) reportedly seizing the phones of around 70 journalists during searches. Police conducted raids at five locations across Keralam, including the channel's headquarters, early wednesday.

The seizure disrupted the channel's live broadcast. Police took away the input phone used by the editorial department to receive news updates, along with other phones belonging to journalists working at the desk.

Journalists said the police team entered the channel's news desk at around 5.50 am. The officers allegedly seized the phone of a journalist while the journalist was contacting a reporter who was preparing to go live for the first bulletin at 6 am.

Employees said the police questioned them about whom they were calling before taking away the phones. They alleged that the officers did not provide an answer when asked which case the search was related to.

The input phone is used to receive news updates and other information required for the channel's operations. Senior Journalist Arun Kumar said the seizure of the phone carrying live news inputs effectively disrupted the channel's broadcast.

Employees also said that, apart from the input phone, police seized both official and personal phones belonging to other journalists at the news desk.

The journalists questioned why the phones of employees who had no connection with the case were seized. They also alleged that the police action at the news desk amounted to interference with the channel's functioning.

Reporter TV released CCTV footage showing police officers entering the news desk and taking away journalists' phones.