In 2024, India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gearing up for a pivotal third consecutive five-year term, with preparations underway for the upcoming general elections in April, expected to draw over 600 million voters. However, journalists covering this critical event face unprecedented challenges, prompting the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) Emergencies Response Team (ERT) to issue a comprehensive safety guide. This guide aims to equip editors, reporters, and photojournalists with crucial strategies to navigate the digital, physical, and psychological risks associated with election coverage in India.
Over the past decade, India has witnessed a troubling escalation in the persecution of journalists, marked by increased pressure, censorship attempts, and restrictions on reporting, particularly concerning sensitive political issues. Data from the Armed Conflict & Location Event Data Project (ACLED) underscores the growing dangers faced by journalists, including physical assaults, mob violence, and violent demonstrations. Moreover, journalists encounter mounting digital threats such as social media harassment, cyberbullying, and surveillance, exacerbating mental health strains within media organizations.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014, India’s press freedom climate has deteriorated significantly. The country plummeted to 161st place out of 180 nations in RSF’s 2023 World Press Freedom Index, highlighting a disturbing trend of journalist fatalities, imprisonments, and misuse of anti-terrorism laws to silence media voices. Independent journalists contend with pervasive disinformation campaigns, while foreign media access to India remains increasingly restricted amid heightened governmental scrutiny and regulatory barriers.