PEC Flags UNI Sealing, Urges Reconsideration
UNI Eviction Raises Serious Press Freedom Questions
Amid mounting international concern over the eviction and closure of the New Delhi office of United News of India (UNI), the Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has expressed concern over the sealing of the premises on Friday March 20, and urged the concerned parties to reconsider the decision. In a statement issued from Geneva/Delhi on 22 March 2026, the global media safety and rights body noted that, according to local media outlets, the closing down of one of India’s oldest news agencies has raised serious concerns over press freedom in the world’s largest democracy. It was also reported that some staff members on duty were forcibly evicted and even female journalists faced manhandling by a team of Delhi Police personnel during the operation.
Also read: UNI Eviction, Tribune Row Raise Press Concerns
The action followed an order of the Delhi High Court, which upheld the cancellation of the land allotment made to UNI after it failed to fulfil the condition of constructing a composite office complex for the news agency and a few other media bodies. The particular plot of land, measuring around 5,289 square metres at 9, Rafi Marg, had been allotted to the UNI management in December 1979 with the condition to erect the office building within a stipulated time period, but it was never realised. Consequently, the government cancelled the permits in March 2023. The aggrieved party challenged the cancellation in court, but finally did not receive any positive direction.
A notice pasted on the UNI office premises states that the property was taken over by the Union government in New Delhi on 20 March 2026 following the court ruling. It further specifies that any entry, occupation, or use of the premises by any person without authorisation is strictly prohibited and would invite legal actions.
Commenting on the development, Nava Thakuria, South Asia Representative of PEC, said, “It’s unfortunate that a pioneer news agency (which was founded in 1961) is facing such treatments in India. However, the UNI management had to follow the prescribed regulations. Since the digital media overpowers the traditional news outlets, which was aggravated after the Covid-19 pandemic, the news agencies needed a complete revamps in its functioning. Probably the UNI management failed to deal with challenges,”.
He further added that a number of social media posts had termed the action as very unfortunate for the Indian press freedom. “The police personnel arriving in hundreds simply ‘stormed, seized and silenced’ the UNI office in the capital city, where they treated the media professionals almost like wanted criminals. They could (should) have been asked to vacate the office and then locked the campus,” added Thakuria, “but it was not done.”
– global bihari bureau
