Threats to journalism in contemporary India and need for personal safety of journalists was the focus of a lecture-cum-panel discussion organized by The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a non-profit that promotes media freedom worldwide, at the Asian College of Journalism on October 12.

The CJP’s chief strategist on journalist safety Colin Pereira spoke to students about assessing risk in a variety of situations – especially when reporting in large crowds, hostile environments or conflict zones. He said it was important that journalists learn to spot early signs of trouble, how one might handle a bad situation, and detailed safety protocol that could be followed.

Pereira emphasized that journalists’ safety was of utmost importance, especially in the absence of policy. “Indian newsrooms do not have security teams as the West does. So, you have to be the voice,”he said.

Kunal Majumder, India Representative of the CPJ, highlighted  the increasing threats to journalists in India. In 2020, India had the highest number of deaths of journalists – five – in the world, and at the end of December 2021, seven journalists were imprisoned, he said, quoting CPJ’s tracking data.

Later Majumder interviewed Shashi Kumar, Chairman of the Media Development Foundation, and N Ram, Director of The Hindu Publishing Group, on Twitter Spaces.

Both Ram and Sashi Kumar pointed out to the increasing use of the sedition law under section 124 A of Indian Penal Code against journalists who were critical of the government. But with the Supreme Court putting a freeze on this section, the state had resorted to equally draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, to equate journalism with terrorism.

Ram also said, “Harassment of journalists has escalated and Muslim journalists are targeted more often than others.”

Sashi Kumar said that despite all the flaws and the inherent dangers he would still urge students to become journalists and that ACJ prepares students to face professional challenges.