Every year, hundreds of journalists are killed for doing their job. In spite of threats, assaults, abductions, these brave people relentlessly fight for the truth
Every year, hundreds of journalists are killed for doing their job. In spite of threats, assaults,u00a0 abductions, these brave people relentlessly fight for the truth
'In the course of the past few years, the independent media have increasingly come under attack. Electronic and print-media institutions have been burnt, bombed, sealed and coerced.
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Protest march to condemn J.Dey's murder. PIC/ Sayed Sameer Abedi
Countless journalists have been harassed, threatened and killed. It has been my honour to belong to all those categories and now especially the last', wrote Lasantha Wickrematunge, Founder Editor of The Sunday Leader, a SriLankan newspaper. It was his last piece, which was published after he was brutally killed on January 8, 2009.
Every year hundreds of journalists are killed all over the world for reporting the truth. The dangers involved in this profession are enormous and the figures say it all.
According to Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a New York-based media watchdog, this year alone some 19 journalists have been killed all over the world; 864 journalists were killed in 1992; 547 journalists were murdered with impunity since 1992 and 145 journalists are in prison worldwide. According to various reports the year 2006 has been declared as the deadliest year for journalists
In the CPJ's 2011 Impunity Index, "where journalists are slain and killers go free", India ranks 13 where culprits can get away after killing a journalist. With seven unsolved murders of journalists, the world's largest democracy is just below Brazil.
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The number one country is Iraq with 92 unsolved cases followed by Somalia and Philippines with 10 and 56 cases respectively.
In a speech Hannah Storm, Project manager at the International News Safety Institute (INSI),u00a0 said, "There are also specific threats that journalists face, because of the fact they are journalists.
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Those seeking to report become obvious targets. Countless stories in one very frightening day in Cairo, for example, where it seemed that pro-Mubarak mobs attacked journalists, because the message that was getting out was not the message they wanted to hear."
Highlighting the dangers involved in the profession, Storm also emphasised the need for "a safety net or a safety network", for journalists.
An Irish journalist, who was killed on June 26, 1996. While Veronica was driving her car she stopped at a traffic signal, on the outskirts of Dublin, not knowing she was being followed by a motorbike. One of the two men sitting on the motorbike shot her six times with a .357 Magnum revolver, killing her. Her series of articles on drug dealers invited the ire of the druglords in the region. After receiving numerous threats, Veronica was killed by the druglords.
Lasantha Manilal Wickrematunge
In his article, 'And then they came for me', which was published in The Sunday Leader, a Sri Lankan newspaper, this journalist wrote, 'In the wake of my death I know you will make all the usual sanctimonious noises and call upon the police to hold a swift and thorough inquiry. But like all the inquiries you have ordered in the past, nothing will come of this one, too. For truth be told, we both know who will be behind my death, but dare not call his name.
Not just my life, but yours too, depends on it'. End of the article, Lasantha wrote, 'The Leader is there for you, be you Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, low-caste, homosexual, dissident or disabled. Its staff will fight on, unbowed and unafraid, with the courage to which you have become accustomed. Do not take that commitment for granted.u00a0
Let there be no doubt that whatever sacrifices we journalists make, they are not made for our own glory or enrichment: they are made for you. Whether you deserve their sacrifice is another matter. As for me, God knows I tried'. Lasantha was critical of the Mahinda Rajapakse's government.
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The article was published after Lasantha was shot while he was on his way to work on January 8, 2009. Four men on motorcycles blocked his vehicle before breaking open his window and shooting him.
Lasantha later died from head injuries.
Saleem Shahzad
Pakistani journalist who investigated the links between the military and Al-Qaida was first kidnapped on his way to a television interview in Islamabad. He was found dead on May 31 2011. Saleem'su00a0 kidnapping and his brutal murder sparked off speculation that he was killed by the ISI, which was apparently unhappy with some of his writings on Islamist groups. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan said, "no particular man or agency could be blamed for the murder."
Daniel Pearl
An American journalist, Daniel was kidnapped and killed by the Al-Qaida.
On January 23, 2002, on his way to what he thought was an interview with Sheikh Mubarak Ali Gilani, a cleric, at a restaurant in Karachi, he was kidnapped by a militant group calling itself The National Movement for the Restoration of Pakistani Sovereignty.u00a0 Nine days later, Daniel was beheaded.
On May 16 his severed head and decomposed body were found cut into pieces, and buried along with the jacket of a tracksuit he was wearing when photographed by his kidnappers, in a grave at Karachi.
Anna Politkovskaya
A Russian journalist; Anna was particularly known for fiercely criticising the Kremlin. She also reported extensively on the Chechen conflict. Her articlesu00a0 invited the ire of the Vladamir Putin government. Known as a fearless reporter, 48-year-old Anna was shot dead in the lift shaft of her apartment block in Moscow in 2006 after she returned from shopping. A pistol and four bullets were recovered from the murder spot. Anna worked for the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta. According to recent media reports, a man suspected of killing Anna has been arrested in Chechnya.
Solidarity and support
A small crowd started trickling in at the Marathi Patrakar Sangha at Fort yesterday. By noon, hundreds gathered to condemn the killing of Jyotirmoy Dey (56), MiD DAY Special Investigations Editor.
Journalists from all over the city, participated in the silent rally, which was held fromu00a0 Patrakar Sangha to the Mantralaya. Braving the rains, the protestors marchedu00a0 holding posters and placards.
With a black cloth tied to their mouth, the message was indeed loud and clear.
Journalists meet Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan at Mantralaya. PIC/BIPIN KOKATE
While shutterbugs clicked away , reporters from various television channels marched along, giving their PTCs (Piece to camera) on their way to the Mantralaya.
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One of the placards read-Patrakar Ekta Zindabad (Three cheers for unity among journos). Others had posters, which displayed the ever-smiling face of J.Dey.
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One of the protestors said, "The last time, we along with J.Dey had taken out a procession to protest against Akela's arrest. Today we are having a similar rally; even the venues are the same. But there is a significant change. Today Dey is not with us."
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A few onlookers looked surprised while many joined in to take part in the rally. After a long wait of more than two hours, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan finally arrived.
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Chavan was greeted by slogans and a volley of questions. Journalists demanded that investigation into J.Dey's murder should be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Others wanted introduction of a bill to protect journalists.u00a0 Expressing his concern over the incident, Chavan said, "Journalists are one of the pillars of our democratic set up and we all are upset with whatever has happened.
I am constantly in touch with top officials to take the matter forward. We can form an executive committee with 10-15 members from your side as representatives and take this issue of protection seriously."
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