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CHAPTER SIX
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN INDIA: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND
CHALLENGES
CHAPTER 6
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN INDIA: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
India is ranked 140th out of 180 countries in the 2014 Reporters Without Borders
press freedom index (Available at: http://en.rsf.org.Acceessed on: 15/5/2014). The
challenges to press freedom in India arise from restrictions imposed by the owners of
newspapers, Government, political parties, business interests, etc., who may attempt
to compel newspapers to compromise their independence.The ownership of
newspapers in India in the years 2011-2012 shows that the government owns 0.71
percent of the newspapers in the country. Individuals own 80.67 percent, firms or
partners own 1.13 percent, Joint Stock Companies own 12.85 percent, Societies or
Associations own 2.5 percent, Trusts own 1.95 percent and others own 0.4 percent of
the newspapers(see Appendix II).Legitimate criticism and fearless reporting by the
journalists often engender threats and harassment not only at the hands of the
authorities but also terrorists and criminal gangs. Independent reporting of journalists
leads to attacks on journalists, their arrest, fine, imprisonment, kidnapping and even
murder. In this way, journalists have to face many challenges in performingtheir
professional duties.
An attack on a paper or those connected with it editorially or in management with a
view to pressurising or intimidating them for the opinion expressed in the paper,
constitutes a gross interference with the freedom of the press. Tendencies to coerce
newspapers to desist from publishing facts or toe a particular line are matters of
concern for freedom of the press. The implication of a journalist of a newspaper in a
fabricated case by the police authorities or his harassment and victimization for his
criticalwritings amounts to interference in the freedom of the press. Raids on
newspaper offices by unruly mobs also interfere with the freedom of the press. The
same applies to blockade of newspaper offices. Seizure of camera and removal of film
by police from a press Photographer while covering the news amounts to preventing
the journalist from performing his duties. Filing of motivated frivolous cases against a
journalist amounts to interfering with his functions. Any attempt by a politician to
browbeat a reporter into toeing his line in the matter of reporting is inconsistent
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
64
withfreedom of the press.Disaccreditation and withdrawal of housing facilities from a
newspaper correspondent because of articles/news items, written by him amounts to
an attempt to pressurize the correspondent and, therefore, the press(Available
at:http://presscouncil.nic.in.Accessed on:24/12/2013).
6.1Advertisements and Press Freedom
Advertisements released by the government departments and private companies
constitute an important source of income to a newspaper. Denial of advertisements
severely affects the earning of papers, particularly those in the small category. It also
amounts to a concealed attempt at interference with the freedom of the press.The use
of executive powers in order to tame critical newspapers has a long history in India.
When Morarji Desai, a staunch prohibitionist, was Congress Chief Minister of
Bombay province, he ordered the stoppage of government advertisements to the
Times of India as punishment for its criticism of the dry law (Raghavan,
1994:211).The giving or withholding of advertisements, whether by individuals or by
the government, constitutes a threat tothe liberty of the Press. This is especially so in
case of the government since it is the trustee of public funds and, therefore, bound to
utilize them without discrimination.Government can frame its policy of placing
advertisements based on objective criteria. But this should be based upon publicly
stated principles without taking into consideration the editorial policy of the paper
(PCI Annual Report, 1970:45).
6.2Impropriety and Press Freedom
It is improper to offer an inducement such as invitations to luxury events and press
trips to a journalist and for the journalist to accept such an inducement. In the event of
improper inducement being offered by the government the situation would be worse,
since, then the media would become an arm of the government (PCI Annual Report,
1970:45). A journalist cannot be pressured to divulge his source of information.
Journalists are often placed under surveillance by intelligence agencies to find out
their contacts who serve as their personal and confidential sources of information
(PCI Review, 1983:53).
Some of the principles evolved by the Council through its adjudications with respect
of journalistic impropriety are:Any matter discussed or disclosed in confidence ought
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
65
not to be published without obtaining the consent of the source. If the editor finds that
the publication is in the public interest, he should clarify it in an appropriate footnote
that the statement or discussion in question was being published, although it had been
made "off the record".
An advertisement containing anything unlawful or illegal or the one which is contrary
to good taste or journalistic ethics or propriety should not be published.Proper care
should be taken by newspapers in maintaining accuracy in respect of
quotations.Where a newspaper is charged with violation of journalistic ethics, a plea
that it has ceased publication will afford the editor no defence, since it is his conduct
which is subject of the complaint (Available at:http://presscouncil.nic.in.Accessed on:
24/12/2013).
6.3Paid News and the Press Freedom
News and information must be clearly set apart from advertisements or commercials
that are paid for by corporate houses, governments or individuals. When the
distinction between news and advertisements start blurring, when advertisements,
double up as news that have been paid for, or when news is published or broadcast in
favour of a particular politician or a political party by selling editorial space, the
reader or the viewer is misled or duped into believing that an advertisement or
sponsored feature is a news story that is truthful, fair and objective (PCI report on
paid news, 2010:9). Available at: http://samajawad.blogspot.in.Accessed on:
18/2/2014).
Payment of money by candidates of elections to representatives of media companies
for favourable coverage is a phenomenon popularly known as “paid news”. The
deception or fraud that such “paid news” entails takes place at three levels. The reader
of the publication or the viewer of the television program is deceived into believing
that what is essentially an advertisement is in fact, independently produced news
content. By not officially declaring the expenditure incurred on planting “paid news”
items, the candidate standing for election violates the Conduct of Election Rules,
1961, which are meant to be enforced by the Election Commission of India under the
Representation of the People Act, 1951. Finally, by not accounting for the money
received from candidates, the concerned media company or its representatives are
violating the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 as well as the Income Tax Act,
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
66
1961, among other laws. The phenomenon of paid news goes beyond the corruption
of individual journalists and media companies. It has become pervasive, structured
and highly organized and in the process, is undermining democracy in India by
influencing free and fair elections (PCI report, 2010:2).
6.4Terrorism and the Press Freedom
Eleven journalists were killed in India in 2013; putting it in third position in the
International Press Institute’s (IPI) list of media personnel killed across the world
during the year (Available at:https://maninblue1947.wordpress.com. Accessed on:
12/5/2013).Freedom of speech and expression in India is threatened by direct physical
attacks from both security forces and terrorist groups. With the emergence of foreign-
aided terrorism in Chattisgarh and Kashmir in the late 1980’s, the Press found itself
between these two fires. Terrorists are lawless and enforce their will brutally on
newspapers and the response of the government is such that it sometimes results in
army excesses on journalists whom they regard as the mouthpiece of terrorists
(Raghvan, 1994:214-215). The civil unrest witnessed in Kashmir negatively impacted
the Press. The authorities in Kashmir imposed restrictions on it. The International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) was deeply concerned by continuing reports of the
harassment and violent intimidation of journalists in Dantewada district in the Bastar
region of Chhattisgarh State in central India (PCI annual report, 2010-2011:34).
Police personnel, political, social or religious groups, the mafia or militant and
terrorist outfits often react to media criticism by organizing physical attacks on
journalists and press establishments, the distributors of newspapers and distributing
agencies and also by seizing and destroying copies of the newspapers in question.
Several journalists have been killed and illegal arrests and detentions, beatings in
police stations, etc., are the order of the day. Some governments and public authorities
have even gone to the extent of denying advertisements, delaying payment of
advertisement bills, suspending and withdrawing accreditation passes and even
illegally ordering stoppage of the publication of newspapers (Sawant, 1998:12).
6.5Communalism, Casteism and the Press Freedom
India is a multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society. It is
commonly accepted that India’s strength lies in its acceptance of the principle of
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
67
secularism, but this strength has been undermined by communal and caste violence
and the secularism has been challenged. The Press leaves a powerful impression on
the minds of the readers. Therefore, it has a great potential to promote national
integration and communal and caste harmony which is the need of the hour. In this
respect, it can play a positive role. Through its adjudications, the Press Council has
often appealed to the press to exercise due care and caution while reporting communal
incidents or matters likely to hurt religious or caste sentiments. The press should
report news, incidents and stories in such a way as having the positive effect of
promoting national unity and emotional integration.Scurrilous and inflammatory
attacks should not be made on communities and individuals. Spreading rumours,
giving provocative headlines, distorting news favouring one community, exaggerating
reports about a particular community and defaming some communities must be
avoided during riots. Omitting the names of communities during communal and caste
tensions, is a healthy practice and should be encouraged (PCI Annual report 2010-
2011:74).
6.6Newsprint and the Press Freedom
A potent instrument for bringing the Press under pressure is the government’s control
over the import, allocation and pricing of the newsprint of which domestic production
is short of need. India’s First Press Commission (1952-54) noted: “ During the period
of war, newsprint shortages acted as a clamp on circulation, but once supplies were
freed, there has been a rapid and welcome increase in the circulation of both English
and Indian language newspapers”(Raghavan, 1994:212-213).
6.7Case Studies
Contemporary issues and challenges to freedom of the press in India are studied
through the perceptions and experiences of journalists collected fromtwenty four case
studies, including four key informantspresented below.
Case Study no. 1 (Key Informant)
He is a 50 year old executive editor of India Legal who has 30 years experience as a
journalist in many magazines and newspapers. He believes that he has only partial
freedom. The government tries to pressure the journalists, but a lot of journalists are
able to resist the pressure and do independent reporting. The Press is not fully free
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
68
from business companies, but there are enough journalists and media organizations
which attempt to do independent reporting. Anyway the news gets into the public
domain even though it is against the business companies. He thinks that the journalists
indirectly obey the wishes of the owners by not publishing news, which the owners do
not like and in this way do self-censorship. As for the restrictions on the publication
of news, he says that such restrictions are in cases where there is pressure for not
mentioning the names of some companies in order to save their reputation. Criminal
gangs and business interests are the sources of threat and harassment of journalists.
This case believes that journalists are put under surveillance through mobile tapping,
being followed and by audio-video taping. He mentions arrest, imprisonment and fine
as the risks which journalists face while performing their professional activities. He
also names judiciary, organized crimes and terrorism as the most difficult for the
investigative journalists to cover. In answering to the question on the effect of
advertisements on the freedom of the press, he says that they definitely affect. He
insists that basically in the recent decade there has been a lot of interference by the
marketing department of newspapers and magazines on editorial content. It is not
difficult to get the government permission to start a newspaper. The most important
news which is not covered because of pressure is supposed to be about the poor
section of the society like the farmers and then is news of minorities and scheduled
castes. Suppression of minority rights and defence scandals are also the important
items which are sometimes not covered in the newspapers. Religious issues and
human rights violations in disputed regions are regarded as sensitive in his newspaper.
In answer to the question regarding enforcement of laws on freedom of the press, he
says they are always enforced, but those who violate press freedom are sometimes
prosecuted and sometimes not.
He Believes that availability of news print in decades of 70’s and 80’s affected
independence of newspapers because the government was the sole importer of
newsprint, but nowadays it does not affect because newspapers can buy newsprint
from anywhere they want without mediation of the government. He claims that he has
been invited to luxury events or press trips by some companies. He also accepts that
journalists are paid in cash or in kind by someone other than their employers in order
to influence them. He thinks that defamation laws are not an obstacle to press
freedom, but interpretations by different courts has led to delays and problems for the
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
69
press. In this way it can be a threat to press freedom. As for the effectiveness of the
Press Council in regulating the press, he says it has not been effective because it
cannot punish anybody and so nobody cares about it. He believes that pollution, and
news about poor people are not sufficiently covered in the print media, but issues
related to celebrities, politics and cricket have too much coverage because of their
entertainment value for the readers.
Case Study no. 2 (Key informant)
He is a 45 year old special correspondent from Amar Ujala who has 17 years
experience as a journalist in television and some newspapers. He declares that he has
partial freedom in his work which can be said to be full freedom compared to other
countries. He claims that there is no direct pressure on journalists from the
government, but government manipulates with editors to control some items of news.
The example he mentioned is one home minister who indirectly put pressure on some
journalists through editors of newspapers. The press is not independent from business
companies because printing and running a newspaper is a big business and the main
source of revenue of a newspaper group is from advertisements. All newspapers are
privately run and in order to earn advertisements the newspapers sometimesyield to
the demands of business companies. Journalists surrender to pressure exerted by the
owners of newspapers because they have to save their job. He mentions his own
experience that he had to leave his previous job because his editors decided to censor
some of the news he had given for publication. There was a hint and that his services
were not needed and he understood the hint. He claims that no restrictions are placed
on the publication of news, because in critical situations, there are some ethical rules
for not giving that news which will inflate the tension in critical times like communal
riots and extremist violence. He believes that the main sources of harassment to
journalists are business interests, criminal gangs and terrorists and says that the two
first sources might harass the journalists but the terrorists directly kill them. He says
that he has himself felt the harassment by a mafia don turned politician.
This case agrees that there is surveillance of journalists, but it is difficult to know how
and when it is done. Most of the time is to find out the sources of news. The risks
which journalists face in performing their duties, depends on the situation, but mostly
it is the risk of physical attack. According to him, government, army and organized
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
70
crimes are difficult for the investigative journalists to cover. He also mentions that
journalists cannot directly criticize the judiciary, but they can talk and write about
decisions of the judiciary. He believes that up to some extent publishing of
advertisements affect the freedom of the press, but also declares that if there is no
advertisement there is no newspaper and newspapers pay salaries of journalists from
revenues of advertisements. Getting government permission to start a newspaper is
very easy. There are only some problems regarding resources and address proof
which can be solved. He thinks that almost all issues are covered by the press except
intelligence and business related news which may be suppressed because of pressure.
This means that there is no issue in his newspaper which is regarded as sensitive and
taboo. Laws regarding freedom of the press are almost enforced. He believes that
those who violate freedom of the press are not prosecuted because there is no clear
law as such to prosecute them. Moreover, curbing press freedom is not a crime in
India for which there should be a need for prosecution.
He declares that, up to some extent availability of newsprint affect the independence
of the newspapers because every newspaper is dependent on the government to get
the newsprint. He accepts that he has been invited to press trips. He adds that there are
news trips by the corporate houses, but there is no compulsion to report according to
their interests. Private companies invite journalists to luxury events and press trips.
Journalists are sometimes paid by someone other than their employer, but it is not
very common. As for defamation laws, he believes that they are an obstacle to
freedom of the press, because they require a proof for every story reported by
journalists. Press Council is effective in regulating the press only up to some extent.
PCI concerns about press freedom, but this body can be made more effective if it gets
more teeth. Social issues like population control, migration in rural areas are not
sufficiently covered by the print media. He declares that the media have failed to
make poverty, population control and unemployment as national issues, but rather
politics, Bollywood and cricket become its preoccupation.
Case Study no. 3 (Key informant)
She is a 55 year old associate editor of the Hindu and has 34 years experience in
different newspapers as a journalist. She thinks that she has partial freedom in her
newspaper and journalists are facing more and more restrictions in their work. The
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
71
governments often put pressure on journalists. She thinks that the press is not
independent from the business companies at all. Lately business houses have been
trying to get stakes in several newspapers and TV. channels which impact the
independence of newspapers. Journalists yield to pressures exerted on them by the
owners of newspapers because most of them are on contract and so they have no
choice but to yield. Restrictions are placed on the publication of news during election
times, regional clashes, and extremist violence. Political parties in general and
criminal gangs and terrorists in conflict areas are the sources of threat or harassment
to journalists.
This case study declares that journalists are put under surveillance, especially those
who cover sensitive bits of news by tapping of phones and being watched. Journalists
face all risks of murder, arrest and physical attack depending on the type of news they
are reporting. Terrorism and communal riots are the most difficult matters for the
investigative journalists to cover. She claims that publishing of advertisements affect
the freedom of the press in the long run. In smaller local newspapers there are reports
of a quid-pro-quo between advertisers and newspapers that the advertisers give
advertisements to newspapers and the newspapers publish news in the interest of
advertisers. Nowadays, there is a new threat to freedom of the press from the paid
news which has become a reality during election times. She believes that there is not
much difficulty in getting government permission to start a newspaper or magazine.
Investigative stories about corruption, state sponsored terrorism and business are
perhaps suppressed or not covered because of pressure. They do not consider anything
taboo and sensitive in their newspaper and every issue is covered. Laws regarding
freedom of the press are mostly implemented by the courts, but those who violate
press freedom are not prosecuted generally.
She emphasizes that availability of newsprint in large newspapers does not affect
much the independence of newspapers, but it may affect smaller newspapers.
Invitations and press trips are mostly sponsored by companies and here is a policy in
her newspaper that if a journalist goes out on a sponsored trip, it is mentioned at the
end of report in the published article and the reader knows that it is a sponsored story.
Payment to journalists by someone other than their regular employer is an unethical
practice which is said to be prevalent among a section of journalists but it must be
strongly disapproved. Defamation laws are not an obstacle to freedom of the press.
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
72
Press Council does not have enough teeth to regulate the press. In her view,
development news, especially poverty related news, population control and issues
regarding rural areas are not sufficiently covered in the print media. On the other side,
news related to politics, religion and lifestyle are covered too much in the Indian print
media.
Case Study no. 4 (Key informant)
He is a 53 year old associate editor from the Hindu who has 30 years of experience in
different newspapers as a journalist. He thinks that he has full freedom in his
professional activity. About the pressures of the government on the press, he says that
the pressures are there, but most of the times can be ignored. For example the
government can exert pressure through its advertisement policy. The press is
relatively independent from business companies, because there are many companies
in the corporate sector in India, which means there are many advertisements and the
pressures are not as serious as they can be with few companies. He thinks that
journalists yield to pressures exerted on them by the owners of newspapers to a large
extent, because their job is dependent on them. The owners expect journalists not to
write things that will threaten their interests or the political party favoured by them.
He believes that restrictions are placed on the publication of news during regional
clashes and extremist violence. In his view, political parties, corporate houses, and
terrorists are sources of threat or harassment to journalists. The army can also be a
source of harassment to journalists if things written about it are seen as being against
its interests.
This case study believes that journalists are put under surveillance by intelligence
agencies through phone and email tapping. Murder, kidnapping, imprisonment and
physical attack are always the risks for the journalists while performing their
professional activity. Army and judiciary are the most difficult for the investigative
journalists to cover. Publishing of advertisements affect the freedom of the press and
it depends on how much a newspaper earns its revenues from advertisements. Getting
government permission to start a newspaper is not difficult. According to him,
suppression of minority rights, defence scandals and intelligence related news are
sometimes suppressed or not covered because of pressure. Army and human rights
issues in disputed regions are likely to be regarded as sensitive and so taboo in his
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
73
newspaper and are not reported. He says that laws regarding freedom of the press are
enforced and in India laws are relatively better, but there are very few cases of people
being prosecuted for violating press freedom.
He says that availability of newsprint affects the independence of newspapers,
because 60 percent of the cost of a newspaper is newsprint. He accepts that journalists
receive invitations from corporations and embassies to luxury events and press trips
and naturally it affects their reporting. It sometimes happens that a journalist is paid
by someone other than his regular employer and such payments do affect their
freedom. He says that defamation laws are not an obstacle to press freedom. Press
Council is not effective in regulating the press, because it has no powers. It can be
made more effective by giving more powers to it. For him, poverty, unemployment
and issues related to scheduled castes are not sufficiently covered in the print media
and cricket, Bollywood and politics are covered too much in the Indian press.
Case Study no. 5
He is a 58 year old assistant editor from the Statesman and has 33years experience as
a journalist in different newspapers. He says that he has partial freedom in his
professional activity. About the pressure from the government on the press, he
mentions that the pressure is covertly exerted through the owners of newspapers. He
thinks that the press is not independent from business companies because all
newspapers are dependent on advertisements. In answer to the question regarding
yielding to the pressures exerted on the journalists by the owners of newspapers, he
says that it is difficult to be independent as long as the journalists are paid by the
owners. Restrictions are placed on the publication of news during regional and
communal clashes, and extremist violence. During such critical times, the government
appeals to journalists that sensitive information must be withheld from publication as
it may exacerbate violence. For him, major threats to journalists are from business
interests, criminal gangs and terrorists.
He admits that journalists are put under surveillance by phone tapping and being
followed. Physical attack, kidnapping and sometimes arrest are the risks that
journalists face while performing their duties. Investigative journalists have difficulty
in covering terrorism, organized crimes and judiciary. Publishing of advertisements
has a bearing on freedom of the press because advertisements affect revenues of
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
74
newspapers. It is not difficult to get government permission to start a newspaper and
only registration is needed for it. This senior journalist believes that news related to
political parties, and intelligence related news aresupposed to be suppressed because
of pressure. Likewise, defence scandals and religious issues are perhaps regarded as
taboo in his newspaper and are not reported. Laws regarding freedom of the press are
enforced, but prosecution of those who violate press freedom is negligible.
This case believes that availability of newsprint does not affect the independence of
newspapers because it is easily available at any time. Business companies, political
parties, and foreign embassies invite journalists to luxury events and press trips, but it
does not affect news reporting. He accepts that journalists are sometimes paid by
someone other than their regular employer, but it is very rare. It only happens at
election times when it comes under paid news. This senior journalist believes that
defamation laws are not an obstacle to freedom of the press. Press Council of India is
effective in regulating the press to some extent because its role is advisory and not
punitive. Development, poverty and environmental pollution are the issues which are
not sufficiently covered in the print media. On the contrary, politics, cricket and
fashion are covered too much in the Indian print media.
Case Study no. 6
Case no. 6 is a female 43 year old senior editor from the Times of India who has 21
years of working experience as a journalist. She claims that she has a lot of freedom
in her work except a few occasions. There is no pressure from the government side,
even though their newspaper carries many anti - government stories. The press cannot
be totally independent from business companies, but it is a balancing act in which the
companies can exert pressure on newspapers through advertisements but the
newspapers can carry negative stories about companies. Owners exert pressure on
journalists indirectly and journalists have to yield to it because their job is threatened.
As for restrictions placed on the publication of news, she says that there are no
restrictions but the journalists are recommended not to incite violence. Regarding the
sources of threat or harassment to journalists, she says that it is by political parties and
criminal gangs.
This case believes that journalists are not put under surveillance and imprisonment
and physical attack are the risks journalists face while performing their duties.
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
75
Advertisements affect the freedom of the press. It is not difficult to get government
permission to start a newspaper. There is no limitation in covering the news but
suppression of minority rights and business related news are sometimes not covered
because of pressure. There are not sensitive issues in her newspaper which are likely
not to be reported except religious issues and demands of separatists. Laws regarding
press freedom are supportive and those who violate press freedom are prosecuted.
He believes that availability of newsprint limits freedom of the press because the cost
of newsprint is high, and so it affects the newspaper revenues. She declares that she
and her colleagues are sometimes invited to luxury events and press trips and it affects
press freedom to some extent. She is not paid by someone other than her regular
employer, but there are reports that some journalists are being paid particularly those
in small newspapers. Defamation laws are not an obstacle in her freedom of writing,
but they may be an obstacle in writing about politics. Press Council is not effective in
regulating the press. She believes that poverty of rural people, minority issues and
development issues are not sufficiently covered in the print media and issues related
to Bollywood, fashion and fashion are reported too much.
Case Study no. 7
Case no.7 is a 44 year old male journalist from the Pioneer who has 22 years
experience as a journalist in the print media and TV channels. He says that he has
partial freedom in his professional activity. Some organizations might put pressure on
journalists instead of government. The press is not independent from business
companies and journalists often yield to the pressures exerted on them by the owners
of newspapers. Restrictions are placed on the publication of news during communal
riots and cast tensions. Terrorists and business interests are the biggest sources of
threat or harassment to journalists.
He believes that journalists are sometimes put under surveillance and they face
kidnapping and murder while performing their professional activities. According to
him, matters related to business companies as well as military affairs are the most
difficult for the investigative journalists to cover. Publishing of advertisements always
affect the freedom of the press because of advertisements’ role in revenues of
newspapers. It is not difficult to get government permission to start a newspaper or
magazine. News related to business and intelligence and defence scandals are
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
76
suppressed or not covered by his newspaper. Demands of separatists and defence
scandals are sometimes regarded as sensitive and so taboo and arenot reported by his
newspaper. At the times of communal riots, the press usually does self censorship, so
that it does not publish news likely to incite passions in order to control the critical
situation. In this way, the press helps the government to calm down the situation. In
his view, laws regarding freedom of the press are often enforced and those who
violate press freedom are sometimes prosecuted.
This case claims that the availability of newsprint does not affect the independence of
newspapers. He admits that he or his colleagues receive invitations to luxury events,
but it does not mean that such invitations affect the objectivity of their reporting. Such
invitations are a part of their work. Sometimes journalists are paid by someone other
than their regular employer, particularly during the election times, mostly by political
activists in order to receive more news coverage by the newspapers. Freedom of the
press is affected by defamation laws. The Press Council is not effective in regulating
the press, and there is no need that more power is given to it. Coverage of pollution,
population control and unemployment is negligible in the print media. Conversely, the
coverage of celebrities, fashion, religion, and cricket are too much in the print media.
Case Study no. 8
He is a 41 year old special correspondent from The Indian express who has 18 years
of experience as a journalist. He says that, he has partial freedom in his professional
activities. He continues that government pressurizes the press by giving or
withholding advertisements as it is a major source of revenue for both print and
electronic media. The press is under influence of business companies because of
advertisements, which yield millions of rupees as revenues. He believes that
journalists, most of the times succumb to pressures exerted on them by the owners of
newspapers especially after the contract system came in. Job insecurity is a major
factor forcing journalists to yield to pressure. As for the restrictions placed on the
publication of news, he says that it must be done for national security. It is necessary
when there is violence of any kind, communal riots or caste tensions. He thinks that
business interests, criminal gangs and political parties are the sources of threat or
harassment to journalists in India.
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
77
He accepts that journalists are sometimes put under surveillance through tapping their
phones by intelligence or security agencies. Murder, arrest and fine are the risks that
journalists face while performing their duties. He names army and judiciary as the
areas that investigative journalists find most difficult to cover. Advertisements affect
the freedom of the press. It is not difficult to get government permission to start a
newspaper since there is registration of newspapers of India (RNI) and so anybody
can easily apply for registration and book a title. Journalists who write about politics,
corporations, and intelligence succumb to pressures quite often. Religious issues,
riots, and any news item which has the potential to provoke sentiments is likely to be
regarded as sensitive and so taboo and is not reported in his newspaper. As for the
enforcement of laws regarding freedom of the press he says that there is constitutional
provision which make it possible for journalists to approach the judiciary, Press
Council or the Editors Guild and those who violate press freedom can be prosecuted.
This case believes that availability of newsprint does affect the independence of
newspapers because newsprint determines to a great extent the cost of a newspaper
and so its circulation. He admits that journalists are invited to luxury events many a
times by political parties and big corporate houses but it does not affect news
reporting. As for the payments to journalists from someone other than their
employers, he believes that corruption has affected all the areas in society so
journalists are not an exception. Defamation laws are not an obstacle to press freedom
because the affected person may not seek a legal remedy if the journalist renders an
apology. The Press Council is effective in regulating the press and participation of
scribes should be enhanced in the council in order to make it more effective.
According to him, stories about development, minority rights and rights of scheduled
castes are the important issues which are not sufficiently covered in the print media,
but celebrities, cricket and politics are covered too much in the press.
Case Study no. 9
This case is a 41 year old female assistant editor from the Times of India who has 18
years of experience as a journalist in different newspapers. She says that she has
partial freedom in her professional activity. The government does not put pressure on
the press and the press is strong enough to resist pressures of the government. The
press is not independent from business companies because of the effect of
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
78
advertisements on the press. Journalists usually yield to pressures exerted on them by
the owners of newspapers just in order to save their jobs and to keep the owners
satisfied. Restrictions are placed on the publication of news at the time of communal
riots, caste tensions and regional clashes. Major sources of threat or harassment to
journalists can be criminal gangs, terrorists and political parties.
This case believes that journalists are put under surveillance by intelligence services,
criminal gangs and the police. Surveillance is done by phone tapping, being watched
and being followed. Physical attack, fine, arrest and murder are the risks that
journalists face while performing their professional duties. Investigative journalists
have difficulties in covering organized crimes, army and terrorism. Publishing of
advertisements affects the freedom of the press to a great extent because they are the
main source of revenue to the press. Getting government permission to start a
newspaper is not difficult. The only difficulty is providing resources and receiving
advertisements. Intelligence related news and business related news along with
defence scandals are perhaps suppressed because of pressure. Human rights issues in
disputed regions, religious issues and demands of separatists are likely to be regarded
as sensitive and so taboo by her newspaper and are not reported. Usually laws
regarding freedom of the press are enforced. There is no problem with the laws, but
with prosecuting those who violate press freedom.
This journalist believes that availability of newsprint does not affect the independence
of the newspapers because newsprint is easily found and there is no government
control over importing the newsprint. She receives invitation to luxury events and
press trips by political parties and some foreign embassies and sometimes it affects
her objectivity of reporting. She says that journalists are only occasionally paid by
someone other than their regular employers and it happens only during elections.
Defamation laws are not an obstacle to press freedom. So far the Press Council has
not been effective in regulating the press and maybe if it is given more powers it will
become effective. Unemployment, poverty and problems of scheduled castes are not
sufficiently covered in the print media. On the other hand, cricket, politics and
Bollywood have too much coverage in the print media.
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
79
Case Study no. 10
He is a 51 year old bureau chief Delhi branch of DainikRajpath who has 27years
experience as a journalist in different newspapers. He says that he feels complete
freedom while performing his professional duties. The government pressures on the
press are not too much. The press is not independent from business companies.
Journalists yield to pressures exerted on them by the owners of newspapers. At the
time of communal riots and caste tensions some restrictions are placed on the
publication of news. He names criminal gangs and terrorists as the sources of
harassment of journalists.
Journalists are sometimes put under surveillance. Their phones are tapped and
sometimes they are followed by unknown people. Journalists face physical attack,
kidnapping and fine while performing their professional activities. Publication of
advertisements affects the freedom of the press. Companies pressurize newspapers by
not giving them advertisements if something negative against them is published by the
newspapers. There is no difficulty to get government permission to start a newspaper.
This case thinks that intelligence related news and defense scandals are supposed to
be suppressed because of pressure. Religious issues, demands of separatists and the
army are sometimes reckoned as sensitive in his newspaper and are not covered.
According to him, laws regarding freedom of the press are not enforced properly, and
those who violate press freedom do not get prosecuted.
He believes that availability of newsprint has no connection with the independence of
newspapers. He sometimes receives invitations to the luxury events and press trips by
business companies. He declares that journalists may sometimes be paid by someone
other than their regular employer, but he has not witnessed that. He thinks that
defamation laws are an obstacle to freedom of the press. Press Council has no role in
regulating the press, but if it is given more powers it can play a major role. According
to him, poverty, development issues and unemployment are not sufficiently covered
in the print media and cricket, religion, celebrities and fashion are covered too much
in the press.
Case Study no. 11
Thiscaseis a 40 year old male chief of the national bureau of Amar Ujala who has 18
years of journalistic experience. He thinks that he has absolute freedom in his
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
80
professional activity. While he has never experienced any pressure from the
government, but sometimes there are requests from the government to give more
space in the newspaper for government policies so that these can be covered properly.
The press is independent from business companies to a great extent. For example,
they can freely write about corruption in a company without any threat of losing from
such companies. The owners of newspapers do not put any pressure on journalists and
so there is no question of yielding to their pressure. They know that the influence and
respect of their newspaper are the result of the courage of their journalists and their
ability to resist pressure. He believes that restrictions are placed on the publication of
news at the time of communal riots, regional clashes and extremist violence. Such
restrictions are necessary for reserving the unity and integrity of the country.
Criminal gangs, terrorists and anti-social elements are the sources of threat or
harassment of journalists.
This case, declares that he has never been put under surveillance, although he has
covered many critical and sensitive issues. Physical attack, imprisonment and murder
are the risk that journalists face while performing their professional activity.
Terrorism and organized crimes are the most difficult matters for the investigative
journalists to cover. Althoughadvertisements are necessary for the newspapers in
order to earn revenue, but these do not affect the independence of newspapers. There
is no difficulty to get government permission to start a newspaper and India has the
largest number of newspapers and magazines in the world. There is no important
news to be suppressed or not covered and there is no taboo news in his newspaper.
Laws regarding freedom of the press are always enforced, but in the last 65 years
there has been no case of prosecution for violating press freedom.
This case believes that newsprint does not affect the independence of newspapers.
Companies and political parties invite journalists to press trips, but this does not affect
their reporting. Generally journalists are not paid by persons other than their
employer, but it happens during election times particularly at regional level.
Defamation laws are not an obstacle to press freedom. Press Council is not effective
in regulating the press but it can be more effective by involving journalists and
owners of newspapers. The problems of rural people, development issues and
unemployment are not sufficiently covered in the print media. On the other side,
cricket, fashion and Bollywood are covered too much in the Indian print media.
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
81
Case Study no. 12
Case no. 12 is a 60 year old male associate editor from QuamiAwaazwho has 36 years
experience as a journalist in many newspapers and magazines. He says that he has
partial freedom in his professional activity. The government covertly puts pressure on
the press through the owners of newspapers. Business companies also threaten the
independence of the press through advertisements. Journalists yield to the pressures
exerted on them by the owners of newspapers. Nowadays, most of the journalists are
on contract and they know that if they do not obey the wishes and orders of their
employers, they will lose their jobs immediately. Restrictions are placed on the
publication of news when there is a critical situation in the society like regional
clashes, caste tensions and religious violence. Government, political parties and
business interests are the main sources of threat and harassment to journalists.
This case believes that journalists are put under surveillance both by intelligence
services and criminal gangs. They are followed and their mobiles and emails are
tapped. Journalists face many types of risks in performing their duties. These include
imprisonment, kidnapping, arrest and even murder. Organized crimes, army and
judiciary are likely to be difficult for the investigative journalists to cover. Publishing
of advertisements affect the freedom of the press. It is not difficult to get government
permission to start a newspaper or magazine. Defence scandals, state sponsored
terrorism and intelligence related news may be suppressed because of pressure and
not covered. Depending on the policy of a newspaper a few issues such asreligion,
human rights violation in the disputed regions and security of the state may be
regarded sensitive and taboo. Laws regarding freedom of the press are always
implemented, but the problem arises with prosecution of those who violate press
freedom because they are never prosecuted.
This senior journalist believes that availability of newsprint does not affect the
independence of newspapers because newsprint is always available and any
newspaper group can import it without interference of the government or any other
agency. He accepts that he has been invited to luxury events and press trips many
times by political parties, business companies and foreign embassies and sometimes it
has affected the objectivity of his reporting. At election times journalists are paid by
some people other than their employers who are politicians and their parties in order
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
82
to receive favourable coverage. Defamation laws do not seem to be a threat to press
freedom. Press Council is not effective in regulating the press because it is only an
advisory body. If it is given more powers it will be more effective. Problems of
minorities, development issues and pollution are not covered enough in the print
media. Cricket, Bollywood and fashion have too much coverage in the print media.
Case Study no. 13
Case no. 13 is a 43 year old male senior deputy editor from Tribune with 20 years
experience as a journalist in different newspapers. He thinks that he has partial
freedom in his professional activity and there is no interference in his work. There is
some pressure from the government on business and political correspondents, but the
pressure can be ignored by the journalists. The press is not independent from business
companies because it gets advertisements from them. The journalists by and large
yield to pressure from the owners of newspapers. Since they are employees, they are
bound to follow the instructions of their proprietor who is their employer. There is no
restriction on the publication of news. Nothing is imposed by the government.
Business interests and organized crimes are the sources of threat or harassment to
journalists, but if a journalist works in areas which are war torn, naxal infested, or
having criminal gangs, he may have a threat to his life.
This case believes that journalists are put under surveillance in different ways like
phone taping and email checking, but surveillance does not mean harassment. Murder,
physical attack and arrest are the risks which journalists face while performing their
professional activities. Judiciary, military and organized crimes are the most difficult
matters for the investigative journalists to cover. Publication of advertisements affects
the freedom of the press because those who give advertisements put pressure on
newspapers by not giving advertisements to them if the newspapers write against
them. It is not difficult to get government permission to start a newspaper. There are
thousands of newspapers and magazines in India and the procedure for getting the
government permission is easy. State sponsored violence and business related news
islikely to be suppressed because of pressure. Human rights issues in disputed regions,
religious issues and demands of separatists are occasionally regarded as sensitive and
so taboo in his newspaper. Laws regarding freedom of the press are always enforced,
but those who violate press freedom are seldom prosecuted.
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
83
He thinks that availability of newsprint does not normally affect the independence of
newspapers, but it does when it is in short supply. Journalists receive invitations to
luxury events by companies who produce consumer goods, but it does not affect the
objectivity of reporting. He says that there may be some newspapers in which
journalists are paid by people other than their employers but he is not aware of that.
Defamation laws are not an obstacle to press freedom. The Press Council is already
very effective in regulating the press and so there is no need for change. Poverty,
development issues and problems of minorities are not sufficiently covered in the
print media. On the other side, politics, Bollywood and cricket are covered too much
in the Indian print media.
Case Study no. 14
Case no.14 is a 38 year old female special correspondent from Hindustan Times who
has 14 years experience as a journalist. She says that she has an immense freedom in
her professional activity. The government sometimes puts pressure on journalists, but
most journalists are able to ignore the pressure. The press is independent from
business companies and they have little influence on it. Journalists do not yield to
pressure from the side of owners of newspapers, especially in the present scenario
where the press has a major role to play and is allowed to work free of influence.
There are restrictions on the publication of news during extremist violence and caste
tensions. Criminal gangs, terrorists and political parties are the sources of threat and
harassment to journalists.
She believes that journalists are put under surveillance only if they are engaged in any
illegal activity by police officials. Murder, kidnapping and physical attack are the
risks that journalists face while performing their professional activities. Organized
crimes, the judiciary and terrorism are difficult for investigative journalists to cover.
The publishing of advertisements affects the freedom of the press because the press is
financially dependent on advertisements. There is no difficulty in getting government
permission to start a newspaper. State sponsored terrorism; intelligence related news
and business related news are perhaps suppressed because of pressure. At the same
time, religious issues and defence scandals are sometimes regarded as sensitive and so
taboo in her newspaper and are not reported. Laws regarding freedom of the press are
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
84
not enforced generally and those who violate press freedom are hardly ever
prosecuted.
This case believes that availability of newsprint does not affect the freedom of the
press. She thinks that invitation of journalists to luxury events puts the journalists
under an obligation to report positive news which makes them biased. Journalists are
quite often paid by someone other than their regular employees. Defamation laws are
not an obstacle to press freedom. The Press Council is effective in regulating the press
and if it is given more powers it will be more effective. Poverty, development issues
and pollution are not sufficiently covered in the print media. On the other hand,
celebrities, Bollywood and politics receive too much coverage in the Indian print
media.
Case Study no. 15
Case no. 15 is a 40 year old male sub editor from Amrit India who has 18 years
experience as a journalist. He says that he has enough freedom in his profession.
There is pressure on journalists from the government but they can resist it to a great
extent. The press is independent from business companies as they do not interfere in
matters concerning the press. Journalists yield to pressures exerted on them by the
owners of newspapers but the pressure is not that much that can affect the
independence of journalists. Restrictions are placed on the publication of news at the
time of communal riots and during regional clashes. Political parties, terrorists and
business interests are the main sources of threat to journalists.
This case believes that journalists are not put under surveillance. Kidnapping, arrest
and physical attack are the risks that journalists face while performing their activities.
Terrorism, organized crimes and communal riots are difficult for investigative
journalists to cover. Publication of advertisements affects the freedom of the press, for
example, if a newspaper covers news, which is against the government, it reacts by
withholding advertisements to it. There is no difficulty in getting government
permission to start a newspaper. Suppression of minority rights and intelligence
related news are sometimes not covered because of suppression. Religious issues,
army and human rights issues in disputed regions are likely to be regarded as sensitive
and are not reported in his newspaper. Laws regarding freedom of the press are not
implemented and those who violate press freedom are not punished.
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
85
According to him, availability of newsprint usually does not affect press freedom.
Journalists receive invitations to press trips from business interests and political
parties and it affects the objectivity of reporting. He has heard about journalists being
paid by someone other than their regular employer but this might happen in just a few
cases. Defamation laws are an obstacle to press freedom. Press Council is effective in
regulating the press. Development issues, minorities and poverty are not sufficiently
covered in the print media. On the other side, celebrities, religion and politics have
too much coverage in the Indian print media.
Case Study no. 16
Case no. 16 is a 39 year old female special correspondent from The Indian Express
who has 16 years experience as a journalist. She says that she has only partial freedom
in her work. The government puts no pressure on the press. The press is not
independent from business companies because they control the press through their
advertisement policies. Most journalists yield to pressures exerted on them by the
owners of newspapers.This is natural because owners are their employers.Restrictions are
placed on the publication of news during extremist violence, communal riots and caste
tensions. The sources of threat to journalists are terrorists, business interests and criminal
gangs.
This case believes that journalists are sometimes put under surveillance by criminal
gangs and security agencies. Their phones are tapped and sometimes their residences
are under watch. Journalists face murder, physical attack and kidnapping while
performing their professional activities. Investigative journalists have difficulties in
covering issues related to organized crimes and judiciary. Publishing of
advertisements affect much freedom of the press. It is easy to get government
permission to start a newspaper and there are no difficulties in this regard.
Suppression of minority rights, state sponsored terrorism and intelligence related
news are sometimes suppressed because of pressure. Human rights issues in disputed
regions, religious issues and demands of separatists are likely to be regarded sensitive
and so taboo in her newspaper. Laws regarding freedom of the press are usually
enforced, but those who violate press freedom are hardly ever prosecuted.
According to this journalist availability of newsprint affects the independence of
newspapers because newsprint has a major part in the price of a newspaper and its
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
86
financial independence. She accepts that she has been invited to luxury events and
press trips by business companies and political parties and it has had some effect on
her writing. Journalists are sometimes paid by some people other than their regular
employers, mostly at the times of elections by political parties and candidates.
Defamation laws are not an obstacle to the freedom of the press. Journalists are free to
publish news and comments without the fear of defamation laws. Press Council is
effective in regulating the press and it is doing its job well. The coverage of poverty,
population control and development issues is negligible in the print media. On the
other hand, the coverage of politics, religion, and cricket is too much in the Indian
print media.
Case Study no. 17
Case no. 17 is a 46 year old sub editor from DainikBhaskar who has 22 years
experience as a journalist. He says that he has partial freedom in his professional
activity. Government does not put any pressure on journalists. The press is not
independent from business companies and they influence the press through
advertisements, and through the owners of newspapers. Journalists usually surrender
to pressures exerted on them by the owners of newspapers because their job and their
salary are threatened. Restrictions are placed on the publication of news at the time of
communal riots and regional clashes. Business interests, political parties and criminal
gangs are the sources of threat or harassment to journalists.
This case believes that journalists are put under surveillance by intelligence services
and criminal gangs by tapping their phones checking their emails. Journalists face
murder, physical attack and fine while performing their professional activities.
Judiciary, criminal gangs and organized crimes are difficult for the investigative
journalists to cover. Publishing of advertisements affect the freedom of the press
because it is dependent on advertisements for revenue. There is no difficulty in getting
government permission to start a newspaper. Business and intelligence related news
and sometimes defense scandals are perhaps suppressed in the press and are not
covered. Army, human rights issues in disputed regions and religious issues are likely
to be regarded as sensitive in his newspaper and are not reported. Laws regarding
freedom of the press are usually enforced, but prosecution of those who violate press
freedom is rare.
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
87
This senior journalist thinks that availability of newsprint does not affect the
independence of the newspapers because nowadays newsprint is not in the control of
the government and any company or newspaper group can import it. He receives
invitations to press trips or luxury events generally by business companies and foreign
embassies, but it does not affect the objectivity of his reporting. Journalists are paid
by anyone other than their regular employers but only during elections. Defamation
laws are not an obstacle to press freedom. Press Council is effective in regulating the
press. Scheduled castes, unemployment and population control are not sufficiently
covered in the print media. On the other hand, Bollywood, fashion and politics are
covered too much in the Indian press.
Case Study no. 18
Case no.18 is a 43 year old female sub editor from Hindustan who has 18 years
experience as a journalist. She says that she has partial freedom in her work. She does
not feel government pressure in the press. Independence of the press is threatened by
the business companies because they give advertisements. Journalists yield to the
pressures exerted on them by the owners of newspapers because they have to keep
their job. During caste tensions, regional clashes and extremist violence, some
restrictions are put on the publication of news. The sources of threat or harassment to
journalists are terrorists, criminal gangs and political parties.
This case thinks that journalists are sometimes put under surveillance by criminal
gangs and intelligence services by being followed and watched. Murder, kidnapping
and physical attack are the risks that journalists face while performing their
professional duties. Organized crimes, terrorism and army are difficult for the
investigative journalists to cover. She thinks that publication of advertisements affect
the freedom of the press because advertisements are the main source of revenue of the
newspapers. Moreover, corporate houses and business companies are the main
advertisers and so they may influence newspapers for their own interests. She believes
that getting government permission to start a newspaper is not difficult. State
sponsored terrorism, intelligence related and business related news may be suppressed
because of pressure. Human rights issues in disputed regions, army and religious
issues are sometimes regarded as sensitive in her newspaper and are not covered.
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
88
Laws regarding freedom of the press are often enforced but prosecution of those who
violate press freedom does not take place.
This case believes that availability of newsprint affects the independence of the
newspapers when it is in short supply. Then it has to be imported by the government
or by the private companies which can influence newspapers. Journalists are invited
to luxury events and press trips by the political parties and business companies and it
naturally affects the objectivity of reporting. Journalists are sometimes paid by
persons other than their regular employers, especially by the politicians at the time of
elections. Defamation laws do not affect the freedom of the press. Press Council is not
effective in regulating the press because it cannot enforce its decisions. It can be more
effective by giving more powers to it. In her view, development issues, population
control and poverty are not sufficiently covered in the print media. On the contrary,
politics, fashion and Bollywood have too much coverage in the print media.
Case Study no. 19
Case no. 19 is a 57 year old assistant editor from DainikJagran who has 33 years
experience as a journalist in different newspapers and magazines. He says that he has
partial freedom in his professional activity. The government does not put pressure on
journalists directly, but it can put pressure through the owners of newspapers. The
press is not independent from business companies because they give advertisement to
newspapers. Journalists have to yield to the pressures from the owners of newspapers
because they receive their salary from them. Restrictions are placed on the publication
of news during communal riots and caste tensions. Business interests, political parties
and criminal gangs are the sources of threat or harassment to journalists.
He believes that journalists are usually put under surveillance when they are suspected
of illegal activities. In such cases, their phones are tapped or they are watched.
Murder, imprisonment and fine are the risks that journalists face while performing
their duties. Investigative journalists have problem in covering army, organized
crimes and terrorism. He thinks that publishing of advertisements affect the freedom
of the press. Advertisement revenues are the lifeblood of newspapers and so those
who give advertisements influence newspapers. There is no difficulty in getting
government permission to start a newspaper. State sponsored terrorism, suppression
of minority rights and business related news are occasionally suppressed because of
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
89
pressure.Human rights issues in disputed regions and demands of separatists may be
sensitive and so taboo in his newspaper and are not covered. Laws regarding freedom
of the press are always enforced, but those who violate press freedom are usually not
prosecuted.
This case thinks that availability of newsprint does not affect the independence of
newspapers because it is always available. He believes that political parties and
corporate invite journalists to luxury events, but it does not affect the objectivity of
their writing. He also believes that journalists are sometimes paid by someone other
than their regular employer especially at the time of elections. Defamation laws are
not an obstacle to press freedom. The press Council is effective in regulating the
press. Problems of scheduled castes, minorities and pollution are not sufficiently
covered in the print media. Politics, religion and celebrities have too much coverage
in the Indian print media.
Case Study no. 20
Case no. 20 is a 55 year old male associate editor from The Telegraph who has 29
years experience as a journalist in different newspapers and magazines. He says that
he always has partial freedom in his professional activity. There is little pressure from
the government on the press and even if it is there, it can always be resisted.
Independence of the press is threatened by the business companies because of
advertisements. Journalists are bound to yield to pressure exerted on them by the
owners of newspapers in order to keep their job because most of them are on contract.
Restrictions are placed on the publication of news when there is a crisis such as
communal riots, caste tensions and extremist violence. Generally, criminal gangs,
terrorists and in some cases business interests are the sources of threat or harassment
to journalists.
This case believes that journalists are put under surveillance by phone tapping and
being followed. Physical attack, kidnapping and murder are the risks that journalists
face while performing their professional duties. Communal riots, organized crimes
and army are difficult for investigative journalists to cover. Publishing of
advertisements affect the freedom of the press since they are the main source of
income for the newspapers. There is no difficulty in getting government permission to
start a newspaper or magazine. Suppression of minority rights, state sponsored
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
90
violence and defence scandals are likely to be suppressed because of pressure.
Religious issues, army and human rights issues in disputed regions are sometimes
regarded as sensitive and so taboo in his newspaper and are not covered. Laws
regarding freedom of the press are satisfactory and usually enforced, but those who
violate press freedom are rarely prosecuted.
This senior journalist believes that availability of newsprint does not affect the
independence of newspapers because at the present time it is easily available.
Journalists usually receive invitations to press trips and luxury events by the corporate
houses and political parties, but it does not influence the reporting of journalists.
Journalists are paid by someone other than their regular employer, but it happens very
rarely. Defamation laws are not an obstacle to freedom of the press. Press Council is
not that much effective in regulating the press because it does not have enough teeth.
Pollution, development issues and unemployment are not sufficiently covered in the
print media, but cricket, politics and celebrities receive too much coverage in the print
media.
Case Study no. 21
Case no. 21 is a male 44 year old assistant editor in the Hindustan Times who has
18years experience as a journalist. He says that he ordinarily has partial freedom to
cover issues under his area of specialization. Government as an institution rarely
applies pressure on journalists, but sometimes ministers may try to influence a
journalist. The press is not independent from business companies, and big corporate
houses sometimes control what is published in newspapers. It is a normal practice to
seek the opinions of big corporate houses when issues involving them are published.
Writing against big business companies is often a big challenge for journalists.
Journalists yield to pressures exerted by the owners of newspapers because they have
little choice. Restrictions are put on the publication of news at the time of regional
clashes, Communal riots and election times. He also mentions business interests,
political parties and terrorists as the main source of threat or harassment to journalists.
He claims that journalists are put under surveillance by intelligence services. Murder,
kidnapping and fine are the risks that journalists face while performing their
professional activities. Government, the judiciary and terrorism are the most difficult
issues for the investigative journalists to cover. Publishing of advertisements affect
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
91
the freedom of the press because there is a threat that advertisements will be withheld
if adverse reporting is there. He believes that it is fairly easy to get permission of the
government to start a newspaper. Intelligence, army and business related news are
perhaps suppressed or not covered because of pressure, and such issues are sensitive
in his newspaper. Laws regarding freedom of the press are effectively enforced and
those who violate press freedom are prosecuted to a great extent.
This case is of the view that the availability of newsprint does not affect the
independence of newspapers. Journalists do go on sponsored trips by business
companies and by foreign embassies. Journalists are not paid by someone other than
their regular employer to influence on their writing. Defamation laws are not an
obstacle to press freedom. He believes that Press Council is effective in regulating the
press. According to him, poverty, development issues and pollution are under reported
by the press and issues related to celebrities, religion and life style are covered too
much in the print media.
Case Study no. 22
Case no. 22 is a 38 year old male sub editor from The Hindu who has 14 years
experience as a journalist. He thinks that he has partial freedom in his professional
duties. The government puts pressure on the press through editors and owners of
newspapers. The press is not independent from business companies as many
newspapers are owned by business companies and corporate houses. Journalists
always yield to pressures exerted on them by the owners of newspapers in order to
save their job and their promotion. During caste tensions and communal riots some
restrictions are placed on the publication of news. The main sources of threat to
journalists are political parties, criminal gangs and terrorists.
This case believes that journalists are always put under surveillance by the security
and intelligence agencies and even by the criminal gangs. The means of surveillance
are phone tapping, being under watch and email tapping. Murder, kidnapping and
arrest are the risks that journalists face while performing their professional duties.
Army, the judiciary and communal riots are difficult for the investigative journalists
to cover. Corporate houses and companies affect the independence of newspapers by
giving or withholding advertisements. There is no difficulty in getting government
permission to start a newspaper or magazine. Suppression of minority rights, state
Freedom of the Press in India: Contemporary Issues and Challenges
92
sponsored terrorism and defence scandals are occasionally suppressed and not
covered because of pressure. Religious issues, army and human rights violation in
disputed regions are sometimes regarded as sensitive by his newspaper and are not
covered. Laws regarding freedom of the press are implemented but those who violate
press freedom are not prosecuted.
This journalist thinks that availability of newsprint affects the independence of
newspapers, particularly small newspapers because of its role in the price of
newspapers. Journalists are usually invited to luxury events and press trips by political
parties and business companies and it affects the objectivity of their writing. They are
not paid by people other than their regular employer. Defamation laws are not an
obstacle to press freedom andjournalists are free to write about anyone ifthey have the
facts. Press Council is effective in regulating the press and it does not need
morepower. In his view, development issues, pollution and problems of scheduled
castes are not sufficiently covered in the print media. Conversely, celebrities, politics,
cricket and fashion receive too much coverage in the print media.
CaseStudy no. 23
Case no. 23 is a 52 year old male general manager from Daily Pratab who has 29
years experience as a journalist in different newspapers and magazines. He says that
he has full freedom in his professional activity. The government puts no pressure on
the press. The press is independent from business companies. They do not interfere
with the work of newspapers. Journalists do not surrender to the pressure exerted on
them by the owners of newspapers. He believes that restrictions are placed on the
newspapers at the time of communal riots, regional clashes and caste tensions.
Nowadays, criminal gangs, business interests, and political parties are the sources of
threat or harassment to journalists.
According to him, journalists are not put under surveillance by intelligence agencies
and criminal gangs. Murder, kidnapping and physical attack are the risks that
journalists face while performing their duties. Organized crimes, terrorism and
communal riots are difficult for the investigative journalists to cover. Publishing of
advertisements does not affect the freedom of the press. There is no difficulty in
getting government permission to start a newspaper. Suppression of minority rights
and intelligence related news are occasionally not covered because of pressure.
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Demands of sepratists and army are perhaps regarded sensitive and so taboo by his
newspaper and are not reported. Laws regarding freedom of the press are enforced,
but those who violate press freedom are not prosecuted.
This case believes that availability of newsprint does not affect the freedom of the
press because it is not in the hands of government. Invitation to luxury events, gifts
and press trips are offered by business companies and political parties and it effects
reporting. He has heard that journalists are paid by someone other than their regular
employers but he has not come across any such cases. Defamation laws are not an
obstacle to press freedom. Press Council is effective in regulating the press. It does its
work well and there is no need for more powers to be given to it. Problems of
scheduled castes, minorities and unemployment are not sufficiently covered in the
print media. On the other hand, cricket religion and politics are covered too much in
the Indian print media.
Case Study no. 24
Case no. 24is a 45 year old male special correspondent from DainikJagranwho has 25
years experience as a journalist. He thinks that he has partial freedom in his
professional activity and whatever he writes gets published. About the pressures from
the government on the press he says that the government does exert some pressure,
but the press can always resist it. While the government wants to ensure that whatever
it wants gets published, but the press can exercise discretion in publishing only what it
finds suitable. The press is not fully independent from business companies as there are
some sections that protect and promote the interests of corporate houses. The owners
of newspapers put some pressure on journalists by laying down the policies which
they should follow. Restrictions are never placed on the publication of news and in all
cases, they write whatever they want. Criminal gangs, business interests and terrorists
are the sources of harassment to journalists.
This case believes that those journalists are put under surveillance by checking their
emails and tapping their phones that are suspected to be writing against national
interests. Physical attack, imprisonment and murder are the risks journalists face when
performing their professional activities. Army, organized crimes and terrorism are the
most difficult areas for investigative journalists to cover. Publishing of advertisements
affects the freedom of the press, particularly in regional and small newspapers. There
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is no difficulty in getting government permission to start a newspaper. Defense
scandals and intelligence related news are perhaps suppressed in the name of national
interest. There is no issue to be regarded as taboo in his newspaper and all issues are
covered. Religious issues and army may be regarded as sensitive by his newspaper
and are not reported. Laws regarding freedom of the press are enforced, but those who
violate press freedom are generally not prosecuted.
This journalist believes that newsprint is costly in India and it affects the
independence of newspapers if there is a shortage of it. Journalists receive invitations
to luxury events from big corporate houses and companies, but journalists do not
allow them to influence their work. Journalists are sometimes paid by someone with
vested interests who is not their regular employer, but it depends on the person to
accept or reject it. Defamation laws are an obstacle to freedom of the press only to
some extent. Press Council is not effective in regulating the press, but if it is given
punitive powers, then it can be more effective. News related to poverty, population
control and scheduled castes are not covered enough in the print media. On the other
side, celebrities, cricket and fashion are covered too much in the print media.
6.8Analysis and Interpretation of Case Studies
Analysis of the case studies of 24 journalists (including 4 key informants) has yielded
interesting results. Most journalists were experienced and senior ones(14) with ages
ranging from 44 to 60 and a few were younger ones (10) with ages ranging from 38 to
44. 8 journalists were female and 16 were male.14 cases were from English
newspapers and 10 other cases were from the vernacular newspapers (Hindi and
Urdu).
Most cases (18) believed that they have partial freedom in their professional activity,
but few of them (6) have said that they have full freedom. Few journalists (8) said that
the government puts pressure covertly on journalists, but they are able to resist the
pressure and do independent reporting. Majority of journalists (16) have said that
government does not put any pressure on journalists. Most journalists (17) declared
that the press is not independent from business companies because of the
advertisements and its role in revenue earning of newspapers. Since the corporate
houses are the main sources of advertisements to newspapers, they can withhold them
if newspapers go against their interests. Most newspapers are private owned and so
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they have to yield to the demands of advertisers. On the other hand, few other
journalists (7) thought that the press is independent from business companies and as
the corporate sector in India is so big, withholding or giving of advertisements by one
or two companies does not affect the independence of newspapers. Majority of
respondents (21) have said that they often succumb to pressures exerted on them by
the owners of newspapers. The main reason for this is that they have to save their job
and their salary. They added that since their job security is dependent on the
satisfaction of their employers who are the owners of newspapers, they are bound to
obey the orders and wishes of the owners. They said that contract system makes them
more vulnerable in relation to their employers and so less independent. On the other
hand, minority of journalists (3) have said that the owners of newspapers do not put
much pressure on journalists because the owners know that the influence and respect
of their newspaper is the result of the courage of their journalists and their ability to
resist pressure.
All cases have said that restrictions are placed on the publication of news during
communal riots, regional clashes, extremist violence and caste tensions. They said
that such restrictions are necessary for preserving the unity and integrity of the
country. During such critical times, the government appeals to journalists that
sensitive information must be withheld from publication as it may exacerbate
violence. All respondents have said that the main sources of threat and harassment to
journalists are business interests, criminal gangs, political parties, army and terrorists.
A good number of the journalists (20) have said that they have been put under
surveillance, mostly by intelligence services, police and criminal gangs. They have
said that they have been spied on, followed, watched and their mobiles and emails
have been tapped, but this surveillance does not affect their work because they are not
aware of it. Few journalists (4) have said that they are not put under surveillance,
though they have covered many critical and sensitive issues and they said that only
those journalists are put under surveillance that are suspected to be engaged in illegal
activities. All respondents have said that physical attack, murder, kidnapping,
imprisonment and fine are the risks that journalists face while performing their
professional activities. All respondents have said that organized crimes, judiciary,
army, government, communal riots and terrorism are difficult for investigative
journalists to cover.
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Majority of the respondents (20) have said that the publication of advertisements
affect the freedom of the press because those who give advertisements put pressure on
newspapers by not giving advertisements to them if the newspapers writes against
them. In smaller local newspapers there are reports of a quid-pro-quo between
advertisers and newspapers that advertisers give advertisements to newspapers and the
newspapers publish news in the interests of advertisers. Minority of respondents (4)
have said that the publication of advertisements does not affect the freedom of the
press. They have said that though advertisements are necessary for the newspapers in
order to earn revenue, but they do not affect the freedom of the press and journalists
do independent reporting.
All respondents have said that there is no difficulty in getting government permission
to start a newspaper. They said that getting the permission is a smooth and easy
process and India has the largest number of newspapers and magazines in the world.
All journalists who were interviewed believed that investigative stories about
corruption, state sponsored terrorism, suppression of minority rights, defence scandals
and business and intelligence related news are sometimes suppressed or not covered
because of pressure. Majority of respondents (21) have declared that the demands of
separatists, human rights issues in disputed regions, religious issues, and army are
sometimes regarded as taboo and sensitive by their newspapers and are not reported.
While a minority of respondents (3) has said that there are not sensitive and taboo
news in their newspapers and all issues are covered. Most of the respondents (21)
have said that laws regarding freedom of the press are always enforced. Few
respondents (3) have said that laws regarding press freedom are not enforced
properly. Most of the respondents (20) have said that those who violate press freedom
are not prosecuted. Few others (4) have said that those who violate press freedom are
prosecuted.
Most of the respondents (16) have said that availability of newsprint does not affect
the independence of newspapers because at the present time it is easily available and
it is not in government control. Few other respondents (8) have said that availability
of newsprint affects the independence of newspapers. They said that since newsprint
is costly in India and its price affects revenues of newspapers so it affects the
independence of newspapers. Most journalists (20) have said that they receive
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invitations to luxury events or press trips by business companies, political parties and
foreign embassies and it affects their objectivity of reporting. Luxury invitations put
the journalists under an obligation to report positive news, which makes them biased.
Few others (4) have said that such invitations are there, but it does not affect their
reporting. Most of the respondents (22) have said that journalists are paid by someone
other that their regular employers and it happens rarely being confined to election
times when it comes under the category of paid news. Few other respondents (2) have
said that journalists are not paid by people other than their regular employers.
Majority of respondents (20) have said that defamation laws are not an obstacle to
press freedom. Minority (4) has said that such laws are an obstacle to press freedom.
Some respondents (12) have said that the Press Council of India is not effective in
regulating the press because it does not have enough power and if it is given more
teeth it will be more effective. Some others (12) have said that the Press Council is
effective in regulating the press and there is no need to give it more powers.
The journalists have said thatsocioeconomic issues like problems of scheduled castes,
poverty, unemployment, pollution, development, population control and minorities do
not receive enough coverage in the print media. On the contrary, non-issues such as
politics, cricket, fashion, Bollywood, celebrities and religion which divert attention
from the issues have too much coverage in the print media.