‘Indian scribes are victims of courage’

MUMBAI: Indian journalists are often targeted for exposing corruption and nepotism and it is local public figures who put the journalists life in danger.

These are the findings published in the annual report of ‘Reporters without Borders’, a French registered organisation, on press freedom in countries around the world.

Last year, at least two Indian journalists, including Assam-based Prahlad Goala and Maharashtra-based Arun Dekate was murdered, after both wrote articles exposing corruption by local officials. As many as 65 others were assaulted or received death threats from various sources including police officers, criminals, company heads or political militants. “The intrepidness of Indian journalists often leads to reprisals,” the report claims.

The story is not dissimilar for media representatives in Asian states of Philippines, China and Indonesia, where local public figures pose the biggest threat to lives of journalists. In Sri Lanka, meanwhile, media men along with thousands of other civilians have become innocent victims of a war stoked up by the government and terrorist outfit Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE).

Suppressed

Even as the federal Manmohan Singh led UPA Government in the Centre claims it has taken steps to promote free press, world is yet to take note. “There has been little improvement in press freedom in last year,” the report claims.

While crediting Indian media for playing a crucial role in country’s democratic set up, researchers claim journalists, especially in regions like Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Assam, Nagaland and Maharashtra shaken by separatist and Maoist rebellions, are often caught in the crossfire. It cites the case of Chattisgarh, where a security order was passed okaying imprisonment for journalists who meet Maoist rebels. Many reporters were assaulted by police and military officials supposed to counter Maoist influence. Interestingly, the report states that the Indian press did not benefit from rapprochement in Indo-Pak relations.

Some separatist groups threatened suicide attacks on local cable TV operators forcing many to stop broadcasting channels considered “obscene” by armed groups. The report also holds privately-owned television stations for making some ethical blunders. In 2006, it claims, journalists on local stations in Bihar purchased petrol and matches for a desperate man so that he could commit suicide on camera.  

Worldwide view

Press freedom violations in the whole of Asia continue to be at alarming levels. In 2006, sixteen journalists were killed, at least 328 arrested, 517 physically assaulted or threatened and at least 478 media were censored. Censorship remains a widespread phenomenon in the region, the report claims.  Upholding morals is a favourite reason. In states like India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, religion is used as a censorship source with suits filed against journalists criticising religious authorities. In military and communist dictatorships like Laos, China, Vietnam etc media is used as a channel for relaying propaganda.

In North Korea, King Jong Li and his circle have imposed total control on news content. The junta in Burma also imposes relentless advance censorship on press with any item containing least reference to Aung San Suu Kyi banned. Hundreds of local radios in Thailand have been closed by the military junta that overthrew Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last September. In Bangladesh, journalists suffer assaults and death threats from local politicians. The Chinese propaganda department, researchers’ claims, regularly removes editorial chiefs exhibiting a desire for independence. News in Malaysia and Singapore is also controlled through financial leverage exerted by investors close to local authorities.

The organisation has credited New Zealand as the country with utmost respect for press freedom, while it puts Russia and China as the worst violators.