In India, 4 suspects arrested over killing of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar
New Delhi, January 9, 2025—Indian authorities must ensure justice for murdered Indian journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, whose body was found in a septic tank on January 3, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. Mukesh Chandrakar, a freelance reporter, was last seen in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh on January 1. His brother reported him…
Indian journalist who exposed corruption targeted with online smear campaign
New Delhi, December 20, 2024—Indian journalist Anand Mangnale is the target of an online smear campaign that began on December 5 when Nishikant Dubey, a parliament member with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), linked Mangnale to an effort to “derail” the Indian government through foreign funding in Parliament. “Investigative journalism is crucial for uncovering…
CPJ, others urge India to drop sedition investigation into journalist Mohammed Zubair
The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday joined 10 other press freedom and human rights organizations in calling on Indian authorities to withdraw an October police complaint filed against award-winning journalist and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair in Ghaziabad city of northern Uttar Pradesh state. The complaint cites several provisions of India’s new penal code, the Bharatiya…
Indian journalist Rana Ayyub tailed by officials, harassed after number leaked
New Delhi, November 8, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists is highly concerned after Indian investigative journalist Rana Ayyub’s personal number was leaked online and, separately, local intelligence personnel followed and repeatedly questioned her throughout a four-day reporting trip in the northeastern state of Manipur in early October, according to three people familiar with the situation…
Kashmiri journalist Sajad Gul released on bail after more than 2-year detention
New Delhi, October 8, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release of Kashmiri journalist Sajad Gul on bail — after more than two years of arbitrary detention on multiple charges — and calls on authorities in the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir to immediately end all prosecution against him. “The release of Kashmiri journalist Sajad Gul on bail…
CPJ urges transparency as India broadcast bill raises censorship fears
New Delhi, August 15, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Indian government to ensure proper consultation with media publishers before enacting a broadcast regulation bill that journalists fear will give authorities sweeping powers to control online content. “India’s planned broadcast bill could have a chilling effect on press freedom,” CPJ’s Asia Program Coordinator…
India court delays nearly $90K defamation order against journalist Rahul Pandita
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed an order requiring journalist Rahul Pandita to pay INR7.5 million (US$89,800) in defamation compensation to senior paramilitary officer Harpreet Singh Sidhu, according to news reports. This stay will remain in effect until the next hearing, scheduled for October 21. On March 5, an appellate court ordered Pandita,…
Indian police launch criminal investigation into 2 journalists under new penal code
New Delhi, July 10, 2024 –The Committee to Protect Journalists on Wednesday called on police in Uttar Pradesh state to drop their investigation into a claim that independent journalists Zakir Ali Tyagi and Wasim Akram Tyagi incited religious enmity through “malicious” posts on social media platform X alleging that a Muslim resident of Shamli district…
French journalist Sébastien Farcis leaves India after permit not renewed
June 20, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Indian authorities to immediately renew French reporter Sébastien Farcis’ journalism permit and cease using legal technicalities to prevent journalists from carrying out their duties. Farcis, a New Delhi-based South Asia correspondent for multiple French and Belgian news organizations, including Radio France Internationale, Radio France, and Libération, left…
Cable operators block 4 news channels in India’s Andhra Pradesh state post-election
New Delhi, June 13, 2024 —Cable operators in India’s Andhra Pradesh state should immediately restore access to news broadcasters Sakshi TV, TV9, NTV, and 10TV, and state leaders must ensure all broadcasters can operate freely and without censorship, said the Committee to Protect Journalists on Thursday. According to various news reports across Andhra media, the four TV news broadcasters have…