In 2015, India was one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with nine journalists losing their lives, according to the annual report by Reporters Without Borders.
A total of 110 journalists were killed be it for work or for reasons not clear, in 2015. Of this, 67 of them were targeted because of their work which brings the total, since 2005, to 787.
This situation is largely attributable to deliberate violence against journalists and is indicative of the failure of the initiatives so far taken to protect media persons.
This year, France was one of the deadliest countries for journalists. It ranked third, after Syria and Iraq. The January attack on Charlie Hebdo offices led to reversing of last year’s trend, when two thirds of the deaths occurred in war zones. This year, two thirds of the deaths were in countries “at peace”.
Organised Crime and its Implications
According to the same report, India is Asia’s deadliest country for media personnel, ahead of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Indian journalists daring to cover organised crime and its links with politicians have been exposed to a surge in violence, especially violence of criminal origin. Nine journalists have been murdered in the past year (the reason for four of these deaths is still undetermined).
Two of the murders monitored by Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) were linked to illegal mining, a sensitive and rather controversial subject in India.
RSF has been producing its annual round-up of violations against journalists for the past 20 years. It is based on precise data gathered in course of its monitoring activities.
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