A reminder of risks faced by reporters in small towns

The suspicious death of freelance journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh has highlighted the increasing vulnerability of reporters, especially in small towns and rural areas. Chandrakar was known for his investigative work on corruption in road construction, shedding light on the challenges faced by journalists working in remote regions of India.

Corruption and the Vulnerability of Journalists

• Rising Corruption in Development Projects: Chhattisgarh’s rapid development, especially in road construction with over Rs 20,000 crore invested, has raised concerns about corruption. Journalists who reported on such scams, have faced severe threats due to their exposés on fraudulent practices.
• Freelancers as Easy Targets: Freelance journalists, especially in vernacular media, often lack financial support and legal backing. This makes them easy targets for corrupt contractors, bureaucrats, and law enforcement officials. Similar attacks on other journalists, like Rupesh Kumar Jha in Jharkhand, showcase this pattern.
• Threats to Digital and Local Journalism: The rise of digital news and small media outlets has made it harder for freelancers to challenge the powerful corporate and political lobbies. The closure of independent blogs and podcasts, along with growing violence against journalists, signals the grim state of press freedom in India.

Safety and Persecution of Journalists

• Violence Against Journalists: Several incidents have highlighted the increasing physical danger faced by journalists in India.
• Journalists Targeted for Reporting Corruption: Journalists who report on issues like illegal clinics or industrial pollution, have been subjected to violence or even death. These tragic incidents underscore the risks associated with investigative journalism in India’s hinterlands.
• State of Press Freedom in India: The Editors' Guild of India and the National Union of Journalists have expressed concern over the lack of journalist safety, especially in rural regions. This has contributed to India’s declining rank in global press freedom indices.

Historical Context and Challenges

• Past Incidents of Journalistic Attacks: The disappearance of journalist Umesh Dobhal in the 1980s after exposing the local liquor mafia in Uttarakhand is a stark reminder of how journalists investigating crime and corruption have faced severe retaliation. Despite a CBI probe, Dobhal’s tragic fate remains a symbol of the dangers faced by investigative reporters.
• Government and Legal System Response: While some culprits were brought to justice in Dobhal’s case, the present scenario shows a reversal where accusers are often detained, while those involved in criminal activities remain free. This trend reflects a weakening of judicial and law enforcement support for journalists.
• Role of Journalists in Rural Areas: Freelance journalists working in remote regions play a crucial role by directly reporting from the ground. They bring attention to local issues and corruption, often using social media as a platform to bypass traditional media constraints. Their unique understanding of local dialects and contexts gives them an edge in reporting, yet their safety remains unprotected.

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the challenges faced by investigative journalists in rural India, especially those working as freelancers. How does the lack of safety and support affect the quality of journalism, and what measures can be taken to safeguard journalists in the country?