Thread by @PARInetwork

2 November is International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

In India, journalists who cover corruption may pay with their lives. It is a dangerous pursuit.

[Thread]

ruralindiaonline.org/library/resour…

Since 1992, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has been keeping a record of atrocities committed against journalists in India. During this time CPJ has recorded 27 cases of journalists murdered in direct retaliation for their work.

More than half of those killed reported regularly on corruption, crime and politics – three beats often closely intertwined. This has created a challenging environment for small-town journalists and those reporting on corruption, who are often more vulnerable to attacks.

Small-town journalists find themselves alone and abandoned when trouble strikes. In the 3 case studies this report focuses on – and in CPJ’s list of 27 press murders – it is hard to find a reporters who are working for an English outlet of a corporate media house in a big city.

An overwhelmed justice system only adds to the problems, leaving the country’s press vulnerable to threats and attacks. Apart from highlighting the gap in security, this report includes recommendations for the central government, the CBI, state governments, and the media.

A population of 1.36 billion – coupled with a decentralised system of government adds to the challenge of securing justice. The states exercise jurisdiction over law and order, complicating efforts to ensure a nationwide response to anti-press violence.

In September 2015, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) admitted to the Supreme Court that it was overworked and understaffed. The bureau was investigating more than 1,200 cases and had 9,000 pending in court.

In addition, close to 16% of bureau posts (around 724) were vacant. Government data show that there were more than 31 million cases in total pending in India’s court system at the end of 2013.

Since 1992, when CPJ began keeping records, over 40 journalists were killed in India. Of these, 27 were killed in direct retaliation for their work - with no convictions so far. The CPJ is still investigating an additional 25 cases to find if they were killed for their work.

According to CPJ research, 89% of journalists murdered worked in the print media, and 56% covered corruption.

Uttar Pradesh accounted for more than 70% of the total recorded attacks on journalists in India in 2014.

In February 2015, a coalition of media organisations and press freedom groups signed on to the ACOS (A Culture of Safety) Alliance. More than 65 organisations from several countries have joined the alliance, but so far India is not represented.

Between March 2007 and April 1, 2016, at least 58 activists – those who regularly file requests under the Right to Information Act – have been killed, and more than 250 have been harassed or assaulted.

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