Yet another report underlines the increasing attacks on media by the State, or on its behalf

A democracy is stable only when its four pillars — the legislature, executive, judiciary and press — are balanced. All these have to work in unison to make democracy vibrant. But it looks like the fourth pillar, the press, is wobbly. The scribes, who work to expose the weeds, are now being hounded. The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has come up with shocking statistics that unequivocally state that scribes in India are facing threats. The freedom of press is under attack. India has ranked 142nd among 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index for two consecutive years. The RRAG data proves that scribes in India are being targeted for their work and they live in constant fear of State action should they report lapses in governance or dare to criticise those in power. The RRAG-prepared ‘India Press Freedom Report 2021’ documents that at least six journalists were killed and 121 journalists/media houses were targeted, including 108 journalists and 13 media houses/newspapers. The report states that the State of Jammu and Kashmir committed 25 cases of violation of press freedom, and targeted the highest number of journalists/media organisations. Uttar Pradesh targeted 23 journalists/media organisations while Madhya Pradesh targeted16.

Moreover, the report mentions the disturbing trend of targeting women. Eight female scribes faced arrest, summons and FIRs. This is apart from the troll armies that abuse them with sexist remarks. The report also takes into account other measures like the use of Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate by the Governments to muzzle freedom of speech. In 2021, the ED and I-T Department raided Newsclick, Dainik Bhaskar, Bharat Samachar and Newslaundry. At least 34 journalists/media houses faced attacks from non-State actors, mainly political party activists, mafia and online trolls. Of these, six journalists were killed and at least 28 journalists/media houses were physically attacked or harassed online. FIRs against 44 journalists were registered in multiple States during the year. Besides, at least 24 journalists were allegedly physically attacked, threatened, harassed and obstructed from discharging professional duties by public officers. Of the 24 journalists, 17 were allegedly beaten up by the police. Such reports do nothing more than document the state of affairs in a democracy and, if not heeded in time, there might not be a democracy left to report about.