NEW DELHI – The state of freedom of the press in India today is no secret. The country ranked 142 among the 180 countries of the world on the World Press Freedom Index for two consecutive years.  Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has come up with the latest data illustrative of the vulnerability of the scribes in the country and thereby the sorry state of freedom of the press.

In its “India Press Freedom Report 2021”, the RRAG has stated that at least six journalists were killed and 121 journalists/media houses including 108 journalists and 13 media houses/newspapers were targeted in India.

The report has come up with state-wise record of attacks on press freedom in India. Jammu and Kashmir, with 25 cases of the violation of press freedom, has the highest number of journalists/media organisations targeted.

Jammu and Kashmir is followed by Uttar Pradesh where 23 journalists/media organisations targeted; Madhya Pradesh (16); Tripura (15); Delhi (8); Bihar (6); Assam (5); Haryana and Maharashtra (4 each); Goa and Manipur (3 each); Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (2 each); and Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Kerala (1 each).

Woman journalists are not immune from such assaults on the press freedom. Eight female journalists faced arrest, summon and registration of First Information Reports (FIRs).

From physical attacks by state and non-state actors to income tax and Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids to FIRs registered on bogus and sometimes frivolous charges, all these factors play a crucial role in silencing the journalists. FIRs against 44 journalists were registered including in some cases multiple FIRs against the same journalists in multiple states during the year. Uttar Pradesh reported the highest registration of FIRs with nine; followed by six each in Delhi and J&K; and three in Bihar; among others during the same period.

Out of the 44 journalists, FIRs were filed against 21 journalists under Section 153 of the IPC, relating to promoting enmity.

At least 24 journalists were allegedly physically attacked, threatened, harassed and obstructed from doing their professional works by public officials including police across the country. Out of the 24 journalists, 17 were allegedly beaten by police. Physical attacks on journalists by police were mainly reported from Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2021, the ED and Income Tax (IT) Department raided offices of media houses/newspapers and houses of journalists who were critical of policies and functioning of the Government. The media houses and their officials raided included Newsclick in February, Dainik Bhaskar and Bharat Samachar in July and Newslaundry in September.

In 2021, out of the 121 journalists/media houses, at least 34 journalists/media houses faced attacks from the 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/ threatened online. The maximum number of attacks by non-State actors took place in Tripura with attacks on 10 journalists and 5 (five) media houses followed by Uttar Pradesh (3) and Tamil Nadu (2).

Speaking about the risks involved in carrying out journalistic responsibilities in the country, Suhas Chakma, Director of the RRAG, attributed the targeting of scribes to deterioration of civic space in the country. He said, “The widespread attacks on the press freedom from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to Tripura are an indicator of continuing deterioration of civic space in the country.

He further said, “The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 is an affirmation of the government’s intent to crackdown on the media freedom.”

“The spotlight on attacks against media freedom during 2021 remained on Jammu and Kashmir. Out of the 17 journalists arrested in the country, J&K reported the highest cases of arrest/detention with five journalists; followed by Delhi (3); Maharashtra, Manipur and Tripura (2 each); and Assam, Chhattisgarh and Haryana (1 each),” he added.