Chitrakoot. When the in-charge of a police station himself calls a journalist to the police station and says in a sweet voice – “Journalist sir, your enemies are my friends. Before publishing the news, please ask once, otherwise it may happen that a case has to be filed against you” – then it is not just a conversation, it becomes a direct pressure on the freedom of journalism.
Further, when the same officer also adds that “I don’t owe anything to the DIG and SP, journalists like you are sold for Rs. 1,000-1500. I have given ‘tea-water’ worth Rs. 50,000 to 25 judges from the smallest to the biggest in the district, so be careful with me” – then this statement is not just a threat, but raises questions on the entire system. Such words are enough to break the self-respect, impartiality and fearlessness of a journalist.
The journalist’s morale breaks there. He is forced to think whether the cost of writing the truth is too heavy. When those who talk about law, order and justice themselves create an environment of fear, then how will the fourth pillar of democracy remain strong?
The irony is that after this threat, the same inspector serves tea and shows respect, as if everything is normal. The question is not whether tea was served – the question is in what spirit the tea was served. Was it a gesture of respect or a warning? Was that communication or a cover for pressure?
Journalism is not a bargain. This is a responsibility towards the society. When news starts being weighed on the scales of relationships and influence, then the truth starts suffocating. Such “threatening tea” not only weakens a journalist but also hurts the right to information of the entire society.
Today there is a need that the government, police and administration should understand that the job of a journalist is to ask questions, not to take permission. And journalists also need to remember that succumbing to fear is a betrayal of the truth.
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