Bravehearts for Press Freedom

Journalism is a profession that comprises of brave people clamoring over the socio-political stereotypes and corruption with an unabashed approach to bring out the truth in front of the mass. Investigative journalism is involved with several investigative reports which demands thorough research and a personal risk on the person conducting the report, as the gruesome details in such reports might put people in power in a grim light in front of a major audience. But still these stories are very important to take a stand against corruption and thus, CPJ International Press Freedom Awards was instated in 1991.

Over the years, where journalists have put forth some of their bravest investigation out in public and took the world by a storm; while on the other hand, many had to risk their lives in the process of letting out the truth. From verbal threats to actual killings, several journalists have been subjected to atrocities for remaining true to their jobs and unveiling daunting details. Gauri Lankesh, Shantanu Bhowmick, Shujaat Bhukari, are among the journalists that have been murdered in cold blood, for their work on political, social or humanitarian issues, while the government failed to protect their lives. 

Recently, Neha Dixit was awarded the Committee to Protect Journalists’ International Press Freedom Award for 2019, honoring her for her courage in the field of Journalism. Her reports on extrajudicial killings by police and illegal detention of citizens under draconian laws has garnered not only much attention, but also prompted extremists and people in power threatening her to back down. Being a freelance journalist for over a decade working initially for Tehelka and India Today magazines and later in ‘The Wire’ and other international media outlets, she has reportedly stated to have received at least 300 online abuses including, death threats, rape threats, and threats concerning her family on a daily basis. 

The rest of the winners in this category are Patrícia Campos Mello from BrazilLucía Pineda Ubau and Miguel Mora from Nicaragua and Maxence Melo Mubyazi from Tanzania, who were also on the receiving end of harassments and threats either online or from their respective governments. The award is at one hand an honor for courage, and a shame for the nations respective Government, for not stepping up to protect their own. However, this award still serves as an awareness to protect Press Freedom and most importantly safeguarding the democracy we immensely fought for, at the time of our nation’s Independence. 

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