Report on public officials, religious matters and protests were the three most common reasons for which a journalist in India faced criminal charges, studies, co -author of the National University (NLU), Dilli.
The study said that journalists from small towns, or those who reported to local publications, Hindi or other regional languages, were most affected and their cases often did not receive national or international media attention.
The other two authors are Trialwatch, Clooney Foundation for Justice and Human Rights Institute on Columbia Law School.
Message, ‘Content fees: Studies of criminal cases against journalists across states in India‘, was based on an analysis of 423 criminal cases registered against 427 journalists who cover a total of 624 incidents “criminalization of journalists” in connection with their work in 2012–2022.
The study found that at least 40% of the journalists on which were listed in the data file were arrested.
“Our data set revealed that reporting reports on public reagents was the most common reason for journalists facing charges, the basis for charging at 147 incidents. The second most common reason was to report religious matters – 99 times, while the third most common reports on the basis – 79, which was reported. They stated that it is reported that the report on what they said, ”she said that it is stated to say that the report is stated,” she said that it is stated that it is stated that she said, ”she said. She stated that she said it was stated that it was stated that the report it stated.
The most commonly caused criminal charges were against journalists related to public peace, criminal intimidation and insulting, support for hostility, defamation, crimes against civil servants and crimes concerning religion.
GS Bajpai, Vice -President, NLU, told the Hindes that the growing trend of provoking criminal laws against journalists raises serious constitutional concerns. “This report shows that journalists, especially from smaller cities, are increasingly focused through criminal provisions. Although it is true that journalists must follow professional standards and perform the proper responsibility in reporting, data based on this study show the worrying pattern of criminalization.” “He said,” he said, “he said,” he said, “he said,” he said.
The report said that the experience of a journalist with the judicial system varied from locating and status. “While journalists in Velké Metropolich were arrested in 24% of total incidents recorded in such cities, this figure increased to 58% for journalists in small cities. This was associated with the approach of journalists to justice. He provided the Supreme Court, which has a single seat in Delhi, ”she added.
The study stressed that out of 244 cases where the data were available, more than 65% of cases were not concluded on October 30, 2023. “In fact, the police did not complete their investigation in 40% of cases we had relevant data.
The registration of the case had a hard impact on journalists and their loved ones, which included the possibility of arrest, intimidation of the police or politicians, as well as social stigma. The report stressed that cases against journalists in India will not always be the same course.
“For example, while accusations of defamation, which are prosecuted more privately than government authorities, were more common against journalists in larger cities and against journalism, offenses against civil servants were more frequent in smaller cities and were caused in relation to journalists on the country of collection,” he said.
The study said that journalists working in Hindi and other regional languages suffered a similarly unfavorable ratio in relation to counterparts working in English. “Our data suggest that while the process is the punishment, the pain it causes may be proportional to the distance of the accused from the capital,” she said.
Published – July 26, 2025 21:55
