Navigating Challenges in India’s Media Landscape : A Study of Press Freedom and Journalist Safety by Udisha Shrivastav

In any robust democracy, the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression is sacrosanct. This right extends to journalists and media entities, who serve as indispensable intermediaries between the populace and governing authorities. However, journalists must be guaranteed high safety and security to carry out their pivotal role effectively. It is imperative to recognize that safety encompasses various dimensions and facets, which include

1. Financial Safety: This is paramount for journalists as it provides them the stability to pursue meaningful work and disseminate information in the public domain. Ensuring financial security enables journalists to have a tangible impact on society while motivating them to work without apprehension for their own well-being and that of their families. However, achieving financial safety in India presents considerable challenges. According to the Lokniti-CSDS study titled ‘Indian Media: Trends and Patterns[3],‘ a staggering 82% of surveyed journalists reported that their media organizations exhibited a bias towards a particular party. Additionally, 16% of respondents stated that they were forced to leave their jobs due to perceived political affiliations, while 50% expressed concerns about potential job loss for dissenting against the government. These findings raise pertinent questions about the extent to which journalists must compromise their integrity to maintain job security and ensure financial stability.
2. Physical Safety: Even if journalists can somehow sustain themselves — by relying on their existing finances or drawing money from independent sources — the safety concerns of their family members and themselves bother them. According to a report by the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (R.R.A.G.)[4], at least 114 journalists have been targeted by the State through methods such as filing First Information Reports (F.I.R.s), arrests, detentions, and interrogations. Additionally, The Polis Project’s Watch the State[5] , which maps violence against Indian journalists, documented 256 instances of violence against journalists by both state and non-state actors between May 2019 and August 2021. These statistics underscore journalists’ significant risks during work, highlighting the urgent need for measures to ensure their physical safety and well-being.

3. Digital Safety: In today’s digital era, ensuring journalists’ safety on social media platforms is as critical as safeguarding their physical well-being in the real world. Beyond facing unjustified censorship of their accounts and content, journalists often fall prey to the mob mentality prevalent in online spaces. This concern is particularly pronounced for women and LGBTQIA+ journalists [6], who frequently encounter harassment and shaming for covering topics deemed “uncomfortable” by certain ideologies. The “Bulli Bai Deals[7]” case is a poignant example of this disturbing trend. These instances underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address digital safety concerns for journalists, including robust mechanisms to combat online harassment and protect their rights to freedom of expression in virtual environments.

4. Psychological Safety: The various risks to a journalist’s safety not only endanger their physical well-being but also give rise to a host of psychological challenges and mental health issues[8]. Anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances have become prevalent among journalists striving to uphold their professional standards and ethics amidst the myriad safety threats they encounter. These psychological repercussions highlight the profound toll that safety concerns can have on journalists’ overall well-being and underscore the importance of addressing their physical safety, psychological health, and resilience.