Journalism is a crucial part of democracy, and it's often called the "fourth pillar" of the system. It plays a vital role in keeping the public informed, questioning wrongdoings, and holding those in power accountable.

However, recent events in India suggest that the safety of journalists is becoming more uncertain, especially for those who report on sensitive topics like corruption. One such incident, the tragic murder of freelance journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, brings the issue of press freedom and journalist safety into the spotlight.

Who was Mukesh Chandrakar?

Mukesh Chandrakar was a 32-year-old journalist from Chhattisgarh who worked independently. He became well-known for his investigations into problems like corruption in state construction projects. Mukesh also had a YouTube channel called "Bastar Junction," with over 167,000 subscribers. On his channel, he exposed scams, talked about local issues, and helped people speak up against corruption.

Mukesh’s latest investigation focused on a road project in Bijapur district that received a lot of money but was poorly built. His report exposed problems and misuse of public funds, pushing the local government to start an inquiry. Sadly, it appears his brave reporting may have led to his death.

What happened to Mukesh Chandrakar?

Mukesh went missing on January 1, 2024. His family reported him as a missing person the following day. Days later, his body was found in a septic tank on the property of a construction contractor in Bijapur district. The police tracked Mukesh’s mobile phone and uncovered his body, which showed signs of a brutal attack including broken ribs and fractures.

Mukesh was killed shortly after his story about alleged corruption in a road construction project was aired on national TV. His death has angered and worried other journalists, who often face dangers when reporting on powerful people. The police have arrested some suspects, including Mukesh's relatives, and the investigation is still ongoing. Unfortunately, Mukesh's story is not the only one; many journalists face threats or even death for seeking the truth.

Reason behind Mukesh’s murder

Though no final conclusions have been made, many believe that Mukesh’s death is closely tied to his work as a journalist. His recent report on poor road construction linked to corruption had raised a lot of attention. Mukesh had been questioning influential people involved in public projects, which used large amounts of public money. These people might have seen Mukesh as a threat.

Like many other journalists in rural areas, Mukesh reported on corruption by local contractors and government officials, making him a target. His previous threats and reports suggest that his death could have been an attempt to stop him from uncovering more truths.

Death of journalism

The tragic and violent end of Mukesh Chandrakar has led many to ask: Is journalism dead in India? While this is a tough question, it can’t be ignored that the safety of journalists in India has increasingly become a matter of grave concern. According to Reporters Without Borders, India is one of the most dangerous places for journalists, with at least three or four being killed each year in connection with their work. These statistics, along with the growing number of attacks on reporters, paint a bleak picture for press freedom in the country.

Journalists who work in small towns or as freelancers, like Mukesh, face even bigger challenges. They don’t have the financial support or protection that larger media companies can provide, which makes them easy targets for threats, harassment, or even murder. In addition, many journalists are falsely accused or face legal trouble after revealing corruption or environmental problems.

Mukesh’s death is not the first in recent years. For example, in 2022, journalist Subhash Kumar Mahto, who had been reporting on illegal sand mining, was killed by unidentified attackers. This trend indicates that reporting on sensitive topics such as corruption, mining, or government wrongdoing places journalists at high risk.

The Editors' Guild of India and the Press Club of India have been asking for better protection and legal help for journalists for a long time. However, cases like Mukesh Chandrakar’s murder show that these requests are not being properly addressed. Journalists continue to be killed, and those responsible are not always punished. This raises the concern that journalism in India is being silenced, especially when reporters are scared to speak the truth.

Mukesh Chandrakar's case shows that the local and central governments are not doing enough to protect journalists. Although an investigation is happening, the truth is that journalists, especially those reporting on corruption, are still at risk. The government needs to provide better protection for journalists, make sure that crimes against them are investigated quickly, and create laws that ensure their safety.

Media organisations should help protect freelance journalists who work on their own, without support from big companies. It's important to make sure that journalists can do their jobs safely so that democracy is kept strong and the government stays open and honest.

The sad death of Mukesh Chandrakar highlights a serious problem: journalists in India are in danger, and press freedom is under threat. Mukesh’s death, like others before him, shows that speaking out against powerful people can be very risky. If journalists are not protected and continue to face violence, trust in Indian media will decrease. The Indian government and media need to take action to protect journalists, or journalism’s honesty and reliability could be lost.