Journalism in India has become an increasingly dangerous profession, with journalists facing threats, assaults, and even death for their work. Since 2014, at least 28 journalists have been killed, nearly half of whom were working on stories linked to environmental issues, such as illegal land seizures and illegal mining, particularly the sand mafia. These journalists have been targeted by both state and non-state actors, including political leaders, police, criminal networks, and extremist groups.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have repeatedly condemned the violence and impunity that define the media landscape in India today. As another election cycle approaches, press freedom remains under siege, with a rising number of arrests, attacks, censorship measures, and even legislation designed to control the press.
The brutal killing of Raghavendra Bajpai, a local journalist and RTI activist, on the Lucknow-Delhi National Highway in Sitapur has sent shockwaves through Uttar Pradesh’s media and activist communities. Bajpai, who worked as a correspondent for a Hindi daily, was reportedly targeted in a deliberate attack when assailants rammed his bike before shooting him three times.
Initially mistaken for a road accident, the case took a grave turn when doctors at the district hospital discovered bullet wounds on his body, confirming it as a cold-blooded murder. The incident underscores the growing threats faced by journalists and activists in the region, particularly those exposing corruption and wrongdoing.
Bajpai’s killing raises serious concerns about press freedom and the safety of whistleblowers in Uttar Pradesh. As investigations continue, media organizations and activist groups are demanding swift justice and stronger protections for journalists working in high-risk environments.
Left to Right: Narendra Dabholkar, Gauri Lankesh, MM Kalburgi
Journalists Murdered for Their Work
The targeting of journalists in India has reached alarming levels, particularly those investigating corruption, political wrongdoing, and environmental crimes. Here are some of the most high-profile journalist killings in the past decade:
1. MM Kalburgi (2015)
– Age: 77
– Location: Dharwad, Karnataka
– Nature of Work: Outspoken rationalist and critic of extremism
– Circumstances: Shot dead by two unidentified men at his home. His murder was part of a pattern of assassinations of rationalists.
2. Govind Pansare (2014)
– Location: Kolhapur, Maharashtra
– Nature of Work: Leftist leader, rationalist, and activist
– Circumstances: Shot by two unidentified men while returning from a morning walk. A suspect was arrested but later granted bail.
3. Narendra Dabholkar (2013)
– Location: Pune, Maharashtra
– Nature of Work: Anti-superstition activist
– Circumstances: Gunned down by two bike-borne assailants. A right-wing extremist group was later implicated in his murder.
4. Ranjan Rajdeo (2023)
– Location: Siwan, Bihar
– Nature of Work: Investigative journalist with Hindi daily Hindustan
– Circumstances: Shot at close range by motorcycle-borne assailants after reporting on a political murder. His killing came one day after another journalist was murdered in Jharkhand.
5. Sai Reddy (2013)
– Location: Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh
– Nature of Work: Reporter for Deshbandhu
– Circumstances: Stabbed to death at a local market. He had been arrested for alleged Maoist links but was later released. Police suspect Maoists were behind his killing.
6. Jagendra Singh (2015)
– Location: Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh
– Nature of Work: Freelance investigative journalist
– Circumstances: Died from burn injuries after a police raid at his home. Before his death, he accused police officers of setting him on fire and blamed a political leader for ordering the attack.
7. Ashutosh Srivastava (2024)
– Location: Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh
– Nature of Work: Correspondent for Sudarshan News
– Circumstances: Shot multiple times by unknown assailants while riding his motorcycle. He had recently raised concerns about threats after reporting on illegal cow slaughter.
8. Akhilesh Pratap Singh (2023)
– Location: Jharkhand
– Nature of Work: Hindi television journalist
– Circumstances: Shot dead within 24 hours of another journalist’s killing in Bihar.
Journalists Targeted for Environmental Reporting
At least 13 of the 28 journalists murdered since 2014 were covering environmental issues. Many were investigating illegal mining operations, deforestation, and land grabs involving powerful political and business interests. The sand mafia, a criminal network involved in illegal sand excavation, has been particularly notorious for threatening and killing journalists who expose its activities.
RSF has warned that the involvement of politicians in environmental crimes has allowed criminals to act with impunity. Despite widespread killings, thorough and independent investigations are rare, and justice remains elusive for most journalists.
Assaults and Harassment of Journalists
Beyond murders, physical assaults on journalists have escalated, particularly during elections and political rallies.
1. Raghav Trivedi (2024)
– Location: Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh
– Nature of Work: Reporter for digital outlet Molitics
– Incident: Beaten by political activists after questioning leaders about allegations that women were paid to attend an election rally. His attackers tried to force him to delete footage, used communal slurs, and police did not intervene.
2. Women Journalists Targeted
– At least 30 female journalists have been harassed, arrested, or attacked in the past decade.
– Delhi (12 cases) reported the highest number of female journalists targeted, followed by Kerala and Manipur (5 each).
– Many female journalists faced illegal FIRs, house raids, and physical attacks by police or politicians.
State-Sponsored Suppression of Journalism
Both state and non-state actors have played a role in suppressing press freedom.
1. Government Actions Against Journalists
– 148 journalists have been targeted by state actors, including arrests, FIRs, raids, and police violence.
– Delhi recorded the highest number of attacks (51) by state authorities.
– West Bengal filed 18 FIRs against journalists, the highest among Indian states.
2. Foreign Journalists Restricted
– Since 2018, foreign journalists require government permission to report from Kashmir and Assam.
– A documentary critical of the government was banned in 2023, followed by raids on the media organization’s offices in Delhi.
Press Freedom Under Threat: Censorship and Controlled Democracy
Experts have warned that India is moving towards a controlled democracy, where the government tightly manages the press.
1. Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023
– Allows the government to deny registration to any media outlet deemed a threat to state security.
2. Broadcasting Regulation Services Bill, 2023
– Seeks to regulate electronic and social media, increasing state control over digital journalism.
3. IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment, 2023
– Grants the government the power to determine what is “fake news”.
– The Supreme Court has stayed the implementation of this rule, citing concerns over censorship.
A Decade Without Press Conferences
Since 2014, the highest levels of government have largely avoided taking questions from journalists at press conferences in India.
– The previous administration held 117 press conferences during its 10-year tenure.
– In contrast, only two instances of direct questioning by journalists have been recorded in a decade, both outside India.
Additionally, journalists have faced restricted access to Parliament and ministries since 2019, further limiting their ability to question the government.
Conclusion: Journalism in Crisis
Journalism in India is under siege. With 28 journalists murdered, dozens assaulted, and hundreds facing legal intimidation, the free press is struggling to survive. The refusal to act against political violence, the rise of state censorship, and increasing attacks on reporters highlight the growing dangers faced by journalists in the world’s largest democracy.
The safety of journalists and the fight against impunity should be a key issue, yet remains largely ignored. Without urgent reforms, India’s press freedom will continue to erode, putting the very foundation of democracy at risk.
Surjitt Sahani
