In a statement, INS President Ashish Bagga said the CBI action could lead to abrupt and sudden stoppage of printing and publication of Sakshi newspaper and render over 10,000 employees of the group jobless.
"The action of the CBI has come at a time when the state of Andhra Pradesh is in election mode, a period when free dissemination of news and views is necessary to embellish the democratic process," he said.
The INS viewed the CBI action as a "great threat" to freedom of press and it will scuttle the process of opinion building in the build-up to by-elections in Andhra Pradesh.
"INS has called upon the Government of India and the authorities concerned to stop taking steps that could derail the freedom of speech and curtail citizens' right to information," he said.
