A total of 194 journalists including 7 women journalists were targeted across India. State agencies, non-state political actors, and armed opposition groups (AOGs) targeted journalists in 2022. J&K faced the maximum target of 48, followed by Telangana (40); Odisha (14).
The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) reports journalists from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) faced the maximum target of 48. Telangana (40); Odisha (14); Uttar Pradesh (13); Delhi (12); West Bengal (11); Madhya Pradesh and Manipur (6 each). Assam and Maharashtra (5 each); Bihar, Karnataka, Punjab (4 each); Chhattisgarh. Jharkhand, Meghalaya (3 each); Arunachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu (2). And Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tripura, and Uttarakhand (1 each).
103 journalists targeted
While 103 journalists were targeted by the State actors, non-State actors including political activists targeted 91 journalists. Out of 103 journalists, 70 journalists were arrested/detained; 14 journalists against whom First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered. 4 journalists were summoned by the police and Enforcement Directorate (ED). And 15 journalists were allegedly physically attacked, threatened, and harassed by public officials/police.
Telangana reported the highest arrest/detention with 40. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh (6); Jammu and Kashmir (4); Madhya Pradesh (3). Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Manipur, and Odisha (2 each).
FIR against 14 journalists
FIR was registered against 14 journalists under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including Sections 124-A (sedition) punishment for defamation (Section 500), 295A (acts intended to outrage religious feelings).
In 2022, at least 4 journalists were summoned for questioning. Gowhar Geelani and Yash Raj Sharma of Jammu and Kashmir and Wangkhemcha Shamjai of Manipur by the state police and Sucheta Dalal of Maharashtra by the Enforcement Directorate in New Delhi.
15 journalists were attacked
In 2022, at least 15 journalists were allegedly physically attacked, molested, threatened, and harassed by public officials including police across the country. Odisha reported the highest number of cases with four journalists being beaten by police.
At least three journalists i.e. Aakash Hussain, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, and Rana Ayyub were stopped from flying abroad. Seven journalists were killed by non-state political actors and criminals. One journalist Subash Kumar Mahto was killed for his reporting while the rest were killed for personal enmities, road rage, etc.
About 41 journalists were targeted by the armed opposition groups in Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, and the Naxal-affected areas. One journalist identified as Rohit Biswal, from Odisha, was killed in an IED blast triggered by alleged Maoists while performing his official work on 5 February.
