Journalist Siddique Kappan has been avoiding controversial stories since being jailed for more than two years due to the coverage of a shocking rape-and-murder case. He blames his incarceration on the growing climate for journalists in India, where arrests and harassment are becoming more common under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule. Critics fear that as Modi seeks to win reelection, there will be further erosion of protections for India’s free press. Many journalists, like Kappan, now think twice before writing stories out of fear of retaliation.
Kappan was arrested in October 2020 while on his way to report on a gang rape and killing of a Dalit teenager in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh. Charged under anti-terror and money laundering laws, he spent 28 months in jail before being granted bail in February 2023. However, the case against him is ongoing, making it difficult for Kappan to find a permanent job to support his family. He now sticks to safe stories that are unlikely to upset the government, like many other journalists who fear being targeted next.
The media industry in India, despite its size and diversity, is increasingly subservient to Modi’s government. The country has seen a sharp decline in press freedom over the past decade, with an increase in the imprisonment of journalists and the use of anti-terror laws against reporters. Media watchdogs note the hostile environment for journalists critical of the government, with reports of threats and abuse against those who dare to ask tough questions. Some well-known journalists, like Ravish Kumar, have faced harassment and threats, leading them to leave traditional media platforms in favor of YouTube.
The government’s actions are not limited to local reporters, as international journalists have also faced obstacles. Reporters like Avani Dias and Vanessa Dougnac have left India due to challenges in obtaining visa extensions and permits related to their journalistic activities. The BBC’s Indian offices were raided by tax authorities after airing a critical documentary about Modi, highlighting the government’s crackdown on international media outlets as well. Despite these challenges, journalists like Kappan remain committed to the pursuit of truth and continue to advocate for journalism as a moral imperative, even in the face of personal risks.
