MUMBAI: The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has expressed its concern over the recent raids conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the residences of the promoters and office of NDTV, which is a long-standing member of the NBA.

While the NBA maintained that no individual or institution is above the law, it condemns any attempt to muzzle the media and causing any interference in the free functioning of news operations. Such a move also undermines the basic tenets of free speech enshrined in the Constitution of India, an NBA statement issued NBA secretary-general Annie Joseph added.

NBA hoped that CBI will not venture into concerted harassment of NDTV/its promoters, and must ensure fair and just investigation by adhering to equity, justice and good conscience.

The Editors Guild of India had earlier expressed deep concern over the raids conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the offices of NDTV and its promoters on Monday. Entry of police and other agencies into the media offices is a serious matter, it added.

NDTV had denied any wrongdoing and termed the raids as "stepping up the concerted harassment" of the news channel and an attempt to "undermine democracy and free speech" and "silence the media," the release stated. While the Editors Guild maintains that no individual or institution is above the law, the Guild condemns any attempt to muzzle the media and calls upon the CBI to follow the due process of law and ensure there is no interference in the free functioning of news operations, the Guild release signed by office-bearers Raj Chengappa, Prakash Dube and Kalyani Shankar stated.