During elections, journalists often cover rallies, campaign events, and protests, exposing them to heightened risks of physical attacks, harassment, and even detention. Additionally, journalists reporting on elections can face digital targeting, encountering online abuse and intimidation.

As India experiences a fiercely contested electoral process, the Editors Guild of India (EGI) reached out to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to highlight the pressing concern regarding the safety and security of journalists covering the elections. Reports indicate instances where journalists have faced verbal harassment, physical intimidation, and, in some cases, outright assault during political campaigns and rallies.

In that spirit, the EGI wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on May 13, voicing apprehensions about the safety and security of journalists reporting on the elections. The Guild implored the ECI to take essential measures to guarantee the safety of journalists.

Highlighting the global significance of the issue, last year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) released a report documenting the alarming rise in attacks against journalists during elections. Between January 2019 and June 2022, UNESCO recorded 759 attacks on journalists and media personnel across 70 countries. Shockingly, 42% of these assaults were carried out by law enforcement agents, with 29% explicitly targeting female journalists.

The report emphasizes the involvement of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in such violence, noting instances of journalists being detained while covering protests in various regions worldwide. It underlines the need for LEAs to foster positive relationships with media outlets covering public demonstrations, provide journalists with access to events, and ensure their safety, particularly addressing the specific risks female journalists face.

UNESCO’s proposed guidelines for LEAs worldwide aim to safeguard journalists and ensure freedom of the press during public events. These guidelines emphasize fostering professional relationships with media outlets, facilitating journalists’ access to events while ensuring their safety, and protecting them from attacks, including gender-specific risks. LEAs are urged to refrain from obstructing or pressuring journalists, respect their equipment, and avoid imposing unnecessary authorizations on their reporting. In addition, the guidelines stress the importance of maintaining neutrality during elections and providing regular training to LEAs and journalists to stay updated on relevant legislation and safety concerns.

T.N. Seshan, the former Chief Election Commissioner of India, is renowned for pioneering efforts in reforming the electoral process. During his tenure, Seshan introduced ground-breaking reforms to enhance the integrity and efficiency of elections in India. These included strict enforcement of election laws, a crackdown on electoral malpractices, and an emphasis on voter education. 

When Seshan revitalized the Election Commission in the early nineties, its status soared. Even today, over two decades later, Seshan remains a widely recognized figure nationwide, synonymous with impartial oversight of elections. However, while Seshan’s name remains revered, the ECI has seen its reputation decline. Isn’t it time for the ECI to introspect and reassess its role?

The strength of the Election Commission lies in its unwavering commitment to transparency, impartiality in dealing with political parties and the media, and boldness in holding influential figures accountable. Failure to acknowledge and rectify its shortcomings will only further damage its reputation. The ECI needs to rekindle the spirit of Seshan’s leadership, adapt accordingly, and rebuild its image in the eyes of the public. An independent, fearless, and just ECI is indispensable for the survival of Indian democracy.

As India experiences an explosion of information and communication channels, there is a growing concern about the erosion of human consciousness regarding right and wrong. The proliferation of propaganda and fake news has muddied the waters of public discourse, making it increasingly challenging for citizens to discern truth from fiction.

Against this backdrop of heightened skepticism and mistrust, various civil society groups across Indian cities launched the ‘Grow a Spine’ postcard campaign, aiming to address the perceived inaction of the Election Commission during the recent Lok Sabha elections. Criticisms were directed at the ECI for allegedly withholding crucial voting data, turning a blind eye to instances of hate speech, and showing favoritism in enforcing electoral regulations. The campaign highlighted the urgent need for enhanced accountability measures, such as the cessation of Prime Minister Modi’s campaigning, investigations into threats against candidates, and greater transparency in the vote-counting process.

Democracy works best when educated voices and the media share the truth openly and without bias, especially under such a challenging scenario. For this to happen, journalists must feel safe doing their jobs. Therefore, the intelligentsia must address themselves to attain excellence in national life.

Democracy is a moral imperative that demands the vigilant stewardship of truth and integrity. We cannot afford to surrender this noble ideal to the whims of charlatans and opportunists. It is time to dismantle the ivory towers of complacency that have allowed mediocrity and false prophets to thrive unchallenged. The path forward requires a concerted effort to enhance India’s moral and intellectual quality, which can improve our democratic life.

–By Hari Jaisingh