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With the arrest of journalists, repressions and restrictions for press, the government has celebrated World Press Freedom Day with pomp and gaiety. The day which marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration should be commemorated in the country to realize that the term ‘press freedom’ is actually an oxymoron. The arrests and incarcerations of Prashanth Kanojia, Mazrat Zahra, Gautam Navlakha and numerous others have shaken the fourth pillar. No wonder India’s position slipped further backwards in the recently released Press Freedom Index.
A steadfast press and journalists is the last line of defence between truth and propaganda.
The state is not shy to pull UAPA, one of the most demoniac clauses in the Indian law book to tame the press. The crucial part that the press played in India’s freedom movement is not soon enough to forget. However, the state which now tries to emulate their past colonial masters, is utilizing the same carrot stick policy to gag the dissenting voices. The tantalizing revenue from the government advertisements and the hefty investments flowing from the party coffers is enough for the capital usurped media houses to sweeten their tone against the government. For the rest, the government has an inexhaustible list of IPC, CrPC clauses and myriad national security acts to stifle them by exploiting the grey areas of the legal system. It is a disgrace for the law and order system of this country that the killers of Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh still roam around freely. Nonetheless, the international press is also heading through a bumpy road. The arrest in the Philippines of the courageous journalist Maria Ressa, founder and head of the news organisation Rappler, arrest of Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe in Myanmar, murder of Jamal Kashoggi, the arrest of Jualian Assange and the death of 80 other journalists while reporting have raised the eyebrows of genuine news followers.
The need for responsible press and credible journalists is vital more than ever. When the fake news and misinformations spread at an unfathomable rate and the powerful players weaponize such platforms by coupling it with big data analytics, a steadfast press and journalists is the last line of defence between truth and propaganda. For the existence of democracy an unbridled press and a fear free environment for the journalists are inevitable.
The importance of free press and unfettered journalism should not end with a keynote or an editorial to commemorate a day in the calendar. A free press and valiant journalists are the people who dare to risk their lives to bell the cat, so that others will be informed.
art by Dani Elevazo
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