The #Modi government has set up the committee to improve India's #PressFreedom index. No, I am not joking. Irony max? Sure.
I did a quick survey of my work in the past two years, looking to quantify the plunging press freedom. Here's what I found 1/n
theprint.in/india/new-pane…
I did a quick survey of my work in the past two years, looking to quantify the plunging press freedom. Here's what I found 1/n
theprint.in/india/new-pane…
2/n One of the finest indicators of decreasing press freedom is sources requesting anonymity.
From January 2019 to April 2020, I published 24 reported pieces. In these, 27 government sources requested anonymity. Even when their quotes were mundane. Two were on record.
From January 2019 to April 2020, I published 24 reported pieces. In these, 27 government sources requested anonymity. Even when their quotes were mundane. Two were on record.
3/n In the same period - Jan '19 - Apr '20 - thirty nine
sources other than the govt (civil society members, affected members of citizenry) requested anonymity.
This is preposterous! I want to read names in a piece. I also want to attribute quotes. But, fear looms large.
sources other than the govt (civil society members, affected members of citizenry) requested anonymity.
This is preposterous! I want to read names in a piece. I also want to attribute quotes. But, fear looms large.
n/n In the same time period and same pieces, the number of times government sources refused to comment - not even anonymously - was 7.
Let the panel that #Modi is assembling ensure journalists get access to the powerful. At all times. That would mean something concrete.
Let the panel that #Modi is assembling ensure journalists get access to the powerful. At all times. That would mean something concrete.
