Stop silencing journalism, say media academics

Avneet Kaur

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Jalandhar, May 2

April 30, was again a “dark day” for media after 2001. Ten journalists, including Agence France-Presse’s chief photographer were among the dozens killed in multiple attacks across Afghanistan, Kabul on Monday.

Mourning the death of ten journalists killed in Kabul, raising serious concerns over security of journalists especially of photojournalists, the Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Doaba College, Dr Simran Sidhu said, “Technically, journalism has evolved a lot but in reality, the people behind this technique are shrinking.” Saying that a good photojournalist cannot be a good writer and that a good writer cannot be a photojournalist.

She further stated, “The quality of photojournalism is taking a backseat. On this World Press Freedom day, it is very important for the media persons to discuss issue related to dying photojournalism in our country and the social security of the journalists.”

She further added “Media is the fourth pillar of democracy, this is often the first lesson given to any journalism student. The journalists who enter the field are always taught how a free press keeps a check on the other elements of a country’s administration thus leading to a transparent and accountable system. Unfortunately, the recent attacks on the journalists, has portrayed how the freedom of press was being suppressed, she further said.”

However, freedom of press in India is a widely-debated topic, the recent incidents and data have proved that India fairs poorly in it. The recent World Press Freedom Index 2018 report ranked India at 138th on a list of 180 countries, despite being the largest democracy in the world.

Every day when a journalist leaves his house to go for reporting an assignment especially during riots, communal clashes or bombing sites, he/she has a nagging fear that this may be the last time he is seeing his family.

Sharing his incident of violence in Panchkula, following the conviction of Dera Saccha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, the city-based cameraman Mandeep Singh said, “Our camera was broken by those protesting for Ram Rahim, even our car was burnt. Only we know how we managed to escape from there.”

Though Mandeep agrees at having thought of leaving this field for safer options, but the contentment of unveiling the truth to the general public keeps him from quitting.