Committee to Protect Journalists writes to PM Modi, urges him to address the matter of jailed journalists

Ahead of International Human Rights Day on December 10, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to draw attention to the issue of journalists imprisoned in the country.

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CPJ said that “the continued detention and harassment of journalists risks tarnishing India’s reputation as the world’s largest democracy and a leading voice in the Global South.” “To mark International Human Rights Day, we ask your government to take steps to allow all journalists detained in India to return to their families and continue their work without fear of retaliation,” the statement said.

“CPJ data shows that India currently holds two journalists in jail on a combination of security, counter-terrorism and State-level charges. One of them is Rupesh Kumar Singh, an independent journalist from Jharkhand State, who has been detained for over three years and was most recently lodged in Patna’s Adarsh ​​Central Jail,” the letter said.

According to Mr Singh’s family, “he faced poor quality and inadequate food, inadequate medical attention despite high cholesterol and other health problems, long hours confined to his cell with no access to open spaces, and limited access to canteens and other basic amenities”.

“While we acknowledge that the number of journalists imprisoned in India decreased from the historic record of seven between 2021 and 2023, at least 15 journalists since 2014 have been investigated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, a counterterrorism law that allows detention without trial or charge for up to 180 days,” CPJ said.

Noting that India is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the non-profit press freedom organization said it was the government’s duty to “fulfill its international and domestic human rights obligations”.

“The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a), and successive governments have recognized the critical role played by an independent press in strengthening democratic institutions. Mr. Prime Minister, you have said that ‘democracy is in our DNA’ and ‘the entire country runs on fundamental democratic principles’. We call on your government to uphold these values, including the right of journalists to report safely.”