Terming a Meghalaya High Court's order in a contempt case against The Shillong Times, its editor and publisher, as "intimidatory" and undermining the freedom of press, the Editors Guild, in a statement today, said it is deeply distressed over the HC's order.

The HC on Friday held The Shillong Times editor Patricia Mukhim and publisher Shoba Chaudhuri guilty in a contempt case, related to an article published by the paper on the perks and facilities for retired judges and their families, and fined them Rs. 2 lakh each.

"The order, which among other things imposes a fine along with a threat of imprisonment and a ban on the publication, is intimidatory and undermines press freedom," said the Guild in a statement.

Further the statement said, "It is ironical that the judiciary which should uphold press freedom has instead issued an order that militates against freedom of expression".

It may be noted that the Guild urged the judiciary to exercise its constitutional powers with "utmost caution and care" so that the role of a free media in a democracy is duly respected.