NEW DELHI: The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) today expressed deep shock and concern that several journalists, camera persons and media crew from various news channels had been injured in the police action at India Gate yesterday while reporting widespread anger against the gang-rape of a young girl and against rapists in general.

It noted that expensive broadcast equipments had been damaged. The fact that water canons were used at specific media locations, and journalists even with mikes in their hands were injured, suggests that the media was targeted.

The NBA asserted that "all member channels have reported the protests over the last few days with great maturity, sensitivity and restraint. Any police action against our reporters is therefore unacceptable and condemned in no uncertain terms. It would be a sad day for the country, and democracy, if any attempt is made to muzzle the media."

NBA member channels, and indeed, most of the news media, "have condemned the violence that has crept into the protests and have repeatedly advised restraint and requested for peace and calm. However it is the job of the news media to report on events factually and it has done this in the last few days in a balanced manner."

The NBA appealed to the Government to ensure that media is allowed to perform their duty in a free and fearless manner.

Meanwhile, some TV channels carried scrolls late in the evening alerting about anti-social elements who had joined the protests and calling upon the viewers to call back their children and family members as they could be harmed by these elements.