‘Freedom of press’ in India - A relevant study - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir

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‘Freedom of press’ in India - A relevant study

Kanchan Basu

7/20/2018 9:23:43 PM

As a result of so called 'Anti Patriotic' propaganda of the 'Hinduism Activists' and 'On Line Attack' on Press India gets down Two more steps. As per report of 2017 of a Paris based organisation 'Reporters without Borders'. The index of freedom of Press in India 136 among 180 Nations. But on 25th April, 2018, this Paper published the 'Annual Report'. In this report among the 180 Nations India is just before Pakistan wining 138 position. There are lots of allegations of suppression of 'Human Rights' and 'Freedom of Speech' against Pakistan but India has no much difference with that country. Norway tops the list where as Syria, China and North Korea lie in the bottom.
The current report of 'Reporters without Borders' says that since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India 2014 the 'Hindu Activist' have been using most aggressive language against the reporters. This 'Verbal Violence' gradually takes recourse to 'Physical Violence'. The organisation says this verbal violence is actually expression of support to a leader call himself a 'Strong Man'. A leader who does not tolerate criticism.
Opposition say 'Modi Government' call any anti Government news as 'Fake' and try to withdraw the registration of the 'Reporter'. As Gauri Lankesh was killed. The reporter who tried to bring to light the 'Vyapam Scandal' was also killed. There were cases against the reporters for publishing report about Jay Shah's business or exposing the 'Aadhar Information'. The report of 2018 also says that 'Three Reporters' were killed in 2017. Many more were killed but in mysterious way. Kashmir has become 'Black Hole of News'. On 14/06/2018 in Lal Chowk of Srinagar Shujaat Bukhari, Editor of 'RISING KASHMIR' was shot dead in front of his office.
On 23/06/2018 last Ex Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and B.J.P. leader Lal Singh openly threaten to kill Reporters and Journalists. He said - "I will tell them to fix a border line and decide the environment and think over how much and what they would want to write. Otherwise do they want the same fate as the Bukhari. So, check yourselves keep the border line, avoid enmity and ensure progress and prosperity of the State." It is noticeable that this B.J.P. leader brought out a procession in favour of the accuse the 'Kathua Gang Raped Case'.
During last few years securities of Journalists has became so fragile that 'Press Council of India' has demanded for an 'Information Stock'. Recently 'Central Home Department' agreed to this demand that 'National Crime Records Bureau' would collect information about attacked attempt to murder or murder of Journalists and published the 'Report'.
On 26/03/2018 in 'Bhind' in Madhya Pradesh near Kotwali Police Station a dumper ran over a young Journalist his motorbike was lying a few yards away from his body. The Journalist, Sandeep Sharma aged 35 years was carrying on 'Sting Operation' regarding mal understanding of Sand Mafia and Police and was showing it in his Channel 'NEWS WORLD'. Since the beginning of the 'Sting Operation' the criminals were treating him dire consequences. Sandeep Sharma did not pay heed to it and he had to give his life.
Just before 24 hours on 25/03/2018 in Bihar, Naveen Nischol of 'DAINIK BHASKAR' and a Freelance Journalist Vijay Singh were also killed by criminals. Naveen and Vijay were going on motorcycle to Arrah-Sasaram Highway near Arrah and a SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) hit their motorcycle and they were killed on the spot. Both Naveen and Vijay have been writing on local and social problems also. Regarding 'Child Marriage' they accused 'Village Morol' (village headman) Md. Harsu. Md. Harsu threatens them to kill. Police investigation says that Md. Harsu was on the steering of the SUV. Then Md. Harsu was arrested.
Now the question arises why after getting complained against Md. Harsu, Police did not take any preventive measure for action. Even if Police could interrogate Md. Harsu and security was given to two Journalists, then lives of two Journalists could have been saved.
Recently two more Journalists were killed. In 5th September, 2017 Gauri Lankesh was killed in Bangalore and is same month Sudip Dutta Bhowmik was killed in Tripura. Gauri Lankesh was threaten for criticising 'Hindutwa', 'Castism' and for 'Disregard to Women'. She was shot dead in her house. Three more Journalists who also criticise the Government were also killed in 2017. The Paris based 'Reporters without Border' also mention this in Annual Report of 2018. In every case the target is those to raise voice against the illegal activities the Government. The man who criticises become intolerance and prices to each the Journalist a lesson. The even do not hesitate to murder. Unfortunately report of Government mal practices led to killing of Journalists. Many were killed. While working with 'Vyapam Scandal' in Madhya Pradesh 'Poltryfeed Scandal' in Bihar. As such there question regarding honestly and transparency of Government or whether the Government has really any good intention to ensure 'Freedom of Press'.
Another thing noticeable in India, Journalists were killed either knocking down by car or firing 'Point Blank' in most cases car was use to knock down to Journalists' car. The 'Committee to Protect Journalists' repeatedly demanded importance in investigation of these so called accidents. In West Bengal also Journalists are not safe. Everything is quite o.k. As long as the 'News Item' is favour but as soon as it is against the 'Ruling Party' the Journalists are not safe. In any election when a reporter tries to collect news or picture he or she is subjected to physical torture and assault including snatching away camera, mobile phone. This is the 'Rule of the Day' irrespective all male or female Journalists.
In Nabagram District Murshidabad of West Bengal Reporter Bhaskar Ghosh was mysterious killed. His hanging body was recovered on 13th April, 2018 from a tree with in Salar Police Station. He worked in a local Newspaper and Daily of Murshidabad. He was fearless and honest. It is known he was threaten through S.M.S. It was inform to higher level. In fact the reporters worked in 'SAND' and 'COLE' belt cannot write against the 'SAND' and 'COLE' Dons. They have connection with Police and Political Leaders. They were always threaten it will expose he will be kill.
India day after day is getting a 'Burial Ground' to Reporters and Journalists. Particularly 'Security of Reporters' in small cities are almost nil. It has been mention in the special report of 'Committee to Protect Journalists' (C.P.J.) in 2016. In 'Bigger Cities' comparatively Reporters are secured because of the awareness of different circles. From different sources it is seen the most of the Reporters killed in India belong to 'Small Cities'. The 'Village Reporters' are also no security. They get very low salaries but they also carry on their work. They have risk and their also attacked and killed mysteriously. The problem is not solving. In 2011 Crime Reporter JYOTIRMOY DEY was killed in Mumbai and in 2017 GAURI LANKESH was killed in Bangalore. Point to be noted those 'Two Cases' occurred in 'Big Cities' and there was much 'Stir'. But there was no much 'Stir' when 'Reporters' were killed in killed in Bhopal, Arrah and Agartala.
During last 25 years more than 75 Journalists were killed in India and One thousand were attacked. National Crime Record Bureau (N.C.R.B.) has recorded 142 Cases of 'Attacks some Journalists' between 2015 to 2017. Three Journalists were killed in 24 hours but Government has no reaction. After this incident Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay once again expresses anxiety on 'Security of Journalists' in India. In January, 2018 a local News Paper is Goa wrote about illness Manohar Parrikar Chief Minister of Goa. The very next day Goa Police arrested that Journalist on charge of false reporting about illness of Manohar Parrikar. But Manohar Parrikar was admitted in All India Medical Science (A.I.M.S.) in Delhi within 15 days from published that report in News Paper. Later that Journalist was unconditionally realised through Court. During Jawaharlal Nehru University (J.N.U.) Movement police charged baton irrespective of male or female Journalists and Reporters. Later the Commissioner of Police of Delhi made a statement that 'Police' could not identified the Journalists and Reporters in between students. But it was not true because every Journalist or Reporter have showed their 'Press Card'. In fact in India assault of Journalist has become natural today. Security of Journalist is less than that of 'Nepal' and 'Afghanistan'. In the 'Press Freedom Index' the 'Reporters without Borders' India's position is 138 among 180 Nations. Whereas 'Nepal' place is 100 and 'Afghanistan' is 120 among 180 Nations.
Very recently Central Government tried to 'Censor' the Journalist in pretext of resisting 'False News'. But they retreated in face of 'Strong Opposition'. Narendra Modi pleaded for 'Freedom of Press'. But that did not save the matter. In fact ruling party of Centre as no internal speech to Journalist of India. It has been reported on 'Annual Report' of 'Reporters without Border'.
However this incident will increase. If 'One Party' rule gains ground in administration. That party tries to influence difference 'Institution' with their 'Particular Philosophy'. As a result clash with free minded Journalists will become inevitable.

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