The murder of scribe Gauri Lankesh depicts that journalism is under threat

Gauri Lankesh

Journalism as a profession took a new turn from the beginning of the twentieth century. Nationalist agitation, the rise of nationalism, the First and Second world wars and the introduction of representative government contributed to the rapid increase in newspaper readership.

In India, Journalistic freedom has been a part of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under our Constitution. But, rational restrictions can be implied on this right in the interest of integrity and sovereignty of India, the security of the state, morality or decency, public order, in relation to contempt of court and incitement or defamation to an offense.

The significance of the freedom of press lies in the fact that for many people the panorama of personal familiarity with interesting events is unrealistic. Hence, to gather the accurate content, media act at large in the public interest. For the smooth functioning of democracy, it is necessary that every citizen of our nation is informed about news, which will eventually manufacture a rationally operated society.

'With great power, comes great responsibility', was the quote of past. The 21st century depicts is as, 'With great power, comes greater threat'. The murder of senior scribe Gauri Lankesh depicts the threat journalists are facing to show the true picture of our society. Her death has not only revealed the hidden dark secrets of this underworld but has also given us a vivid description of being truthful.

The death of Gauri Lankesh is yet another incident adding into the huge list of journalists being killed for the work they do. The act of courage had been shunted by various organizations at various point of time. In case of Lankesh, she spent most of her life fiercely fighting with the forces creating menace in the name of nationalism, caste, class and gender hierarchies.

Lankesh did not only played a pivotal role in uplifting the voice of extremists but also highlighted the challenges India is facing in the present era, like crimes being committed in the name of democracy. These goons, or her murderers, not only showcase the lawlessness which is deep-rooted in Indian administration, but also threaten and dominate the rational thinkers.

Journalists have a lot to be worried about these days; besides the fear of losing jobs, they are facing other grave dangers. The profession has never been more dangerous, and journalists have never felt so unsafe doing their jobs.

Majority of the people, who are suspected to be involved in killings of journalists, are politicians or their supporters (only suspected). Journalists are not allowed to do their job freely. When they blow the whistle against the secrets of politicians that are kept under the carpet, they are either threatened or killed.

Journalists like Gauri Lankesh are the eyes and ears for people. It is high time for governments to take the responsibility for safeguarding journalists and ensure media professionals are able to report freely without fear of being attacked or killed while doing their legitimate job.

Every job has its risks, but journalists are at greater risk than most others. The world is increasingly becoming dangerous for the journalists. Since last 12 years, around 1,000 journalists have been killed while performing their duty. On an average, 100 journalists are murdered every year, and the murderers go unpunished in most of the cases. Journalists like to tell the unheard story; they should not become the story.

Legalising prostitution in India? (dissecting the option and alternatives)

Source: AP

White Hat- Facts and Figures


The dictionary defines prostitution as the practice or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment. In India, this practice of paid is not considered to be illegal. However, activities related to it, like pimping, owning a brother or soliciting in public areas is termed illegal.

It shall also be noted that sex for exchange of money is illegal in majority of the countries around the world with India being one of the few exceptions. In recent times, several counties have relaxed their laws which criminalise the practice. The countries where running and owning a brothel is legal, the sex workers enjoy various social privileges, pay taxes, undergo medical examination before joining the profession etc. This reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and also culls the problem of human trafficking.

The Indian law defines prostitution as “the sexual exploitation or abuse of persons for commercial purposes or for consideration in money or in any other kind”. Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act of 1956 deals with the practice of prostitution in our country. It aims at abolishing or limiting the practice by criminalising different aspects of it. A sex worker is not allowed to carry out her profession within 200 yards of a public place and violating the laws may lead to imprisonment for six months or Rs 500 fine or both.

In 2009, the Supreme Court had asked the government to consider legalising of prostitution after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in this regard. According to a report by Foundation Scelles, there are an estimated 40 to 42 million sex workers in the world with about 75 per cent of them between the ages of 13 and 25. Also, 80 per cent of the sex workers are females. India comes under the category of the countries which have one of the largest numbers of sex workers and a fast growing sex tourism industry.

Another PIL was filed in 2010 demanding rehabilitation of sex workers which was referred to the National Commission for Women (NCW). Lalitha Kumaramangalam, the chairperson of NCW expressed her support to the idea of legalising the practice of prostitution which created a furore.



Yellow Hat- Optimism/Support


Tracing the history of human civilization, prostitution has always been a part of our culture and one of the oldest professions ever known. But prostitution as a profession has some negative connotation as people consider it filthy and socially unacceptable.

Every country in the world has prostitution, the only difference is that some have legalized it and some have not. Under the Immoral traffic prevention act of 1956, Prostitution is not illegal but soliciting, brothel keeping and living on the earnings of sex workers is illegal. The act states that the use of sex for commercial gains and commercials purposes is illegal and should be considered as a crime.

Legalizing prostitution endorses a number of benefits not only to female sex workers but to the community as a whole. It will eventually reduce the amount of human trafficking and forceful rape attempts on women. One can argue that legalizing prostitution will ultimately increase the instance of human trafficking, but everything has its pros and cons. Government invests a lot of money to restrain the STD’s such as HIV/AIDs epidemic, the reason being illegal prostitution.

Most of the people avoid using any kind of protection while having sex with the prostitutes. Getting involved with multiple sex partners they can easily caught up with these diseases. Legal sex workers will encourage the use of protection plummeting the risk of STD transmissions. The victim of sexual assaults and rapes has increased with the passage of time. Hence legalization will not only reduce crime against women but will also provide safe working environment for commercial sex workers compared to their illegal counterpart.

Patrons of prostitution have argued that it is a good form of increasing government’s revenues. Hence legalization of prostitution will create employment opportunities and increase tax revenues for the government. The life of millions of sex workers will also improve and will become more respectable and safer by improving their standard of living.

Therefore to conclude we can say prostitution is person’s own choice. Our society believes that it is wrong because they think that women are forcefully pushed into the profession, but it’s not always true.



Black Hat- Criticism


"Prostitution is an extreme form of gender discrimination. Legalization of this violence to women restricts women's freedom and citizenship rights. If women are allowed to become a legitimate commodity, they are consigned to a second-class citizenship. Democracy is subverted".

Legalizing prostitution would be serving women as mere tools in the hands of pleasure seekers and sex marketers. The patriarchal society forces a woman to suffer for everything. Even when she works all day for her family, she is treated as a mere sex symbol. The question arises why but we keep quite saying it is her destiny.

Prostitution in India has reached its height and has these sex workers have become slaves for few rich and powerful section of society. Prostitution is merely the exploitation of a woman’s body. They have been reduced to a commodity. Prostitution should never be legalized. It will be a gift to pimps who are involved in human trafficking.

In majority of the cases in India, the girls involved in prostitution are either been forced, kidnapped or sold by their relatives. Legalizing it will not make any difference but will increase child sex. It will not control trafficking but will expand it. Legalization will lead to its commercialization and will influence the youth of the nation. It will affect the family structure of Indian society.

The male dominated Indian society considers women as a sex symbol and demands the woman to be attractive and satisfying as those they see in the sex industry. It creates pressure on the women. By legalizing it we will deprive them from getting an honorable life and will be just a pleasure seeking tool for the pervert section of society.

Legalizing it would never make it ‘legal’ in true sense but will give power to the pimps and the corrupt section of society. So the choice is yours, either surrender yourself and be the slave or fight against it and for the rights of such women.



Green Hat- Creative Solution


Brazil, South Africa perhaps even China, these countries women genuinely choose to be prostitutes because of economic pressures or opportunities. Unlike them, in India, first they entered after being forced by trafficker, her husband or parents. Later, after they had been prostituted, some women continued to sell their bodies. But the initial entry into prostitution is invariably coercive. That means that if you validate the red light areas, then the new entrants will continue to be trafficked into it.

With this argument, in India, legalization model might be failed. Prostitutes also use their brain, ideas, emotions, sex organs in short their entire body in order to make people happy. They should get recognition from government and fulfill professional demands. There are many opinions for and against decriminalization of prostitution, in support, admittedly we find more. There have been simply pros than cons.

Putting an end to Police torture and empower by offering respect, the right to privacy, good medical assistance and non-discrimination are just some of the things, what prostitutes needed. The model in the west that seems to worked best in Sweden’s that contains decriminalization of prostitute themselves, but seeks to crack down on pimping and on the demand side. By arresting costumer the Swedish model undermines the economy of prostitution and it seems to have reduced the human trafficking.

Fundamentally, these kinds of dispute will create disrupts in India. Some tends to refer to sex work and sex workers, to avoid stigmatizing the people they want to work with, others use terms prostitution and prostitutes, to avoid euphemism that validate such work. But the issue is so polarized in the society.

But one thing everybody should agree on this that whether or not prostitution should be legal for 18-years-olds who are their own, it is appalling for 13-years-olds to be imprisoned in brothels and forced to sleep with costumers. And that is what going in our country.

Between “Human rights" and "freedom of choice" debate always rages. But we have to create a solution where decriminalize prostitution gives final breather to battling women for pathetic living situation and it keeps out criminals the world of sex trade, who often invisible and plagued with serious issues.



Blue Hat- Expert Interview


Bharati Dey, President of Durbar Mahina Samanvaya Samiti (West Bengal red-light area) 

Contact Number- 9674162100. Email id: bdey.durbar@gmail.com

Q) What is your basic demand behind legalizing of prostitution? If prostitution is legalized, how will it help you?
A) We have five basic demands: 1. To give us the labour right. 2. Withdraw the ITPA act, or make some amendments. 3. Give us the basic health facility, i.e. free treatment in government hospital. 4. Becuase we are prostitutes, our children have no identity. We want that children can have their mother’s identity, and that will help them in the work place 5. Just like others, we also have an age of retirement. After the age of 45, we cannot work. So we demand a pension scheme for the sex workers to protect them. If the government gives us the status of labour, then we will get proper facilities and we will not to be harassed by police or local pimps.

Q) Do you think that ITPA act has no ground just because every girl in the red-light area is not trafficked?
A) Since Durbar and other organizations came into existence, the trafficking has been reduced by 80%. And I challenge that you will hardly find any girl forcefully working in Sonagachi. So this is an act which needs to be amended or withdrawn.

Q) Don't you think prostitution gives rise to incidents of rape and sexual harrasment?
A) Rape and molestation are caused by some disturbing minds. It was there in the past and it will be there in the future.

Q) What steps have you taken as Durbar president to raise this issue?
A) In 2014, 37 MPs from different parties made a demonstration in front of the parliament in support of our cause. We are planning to raise this issue on a national platform, and we hope that the central government will soon withdraw the ITPA act and make prostitution legal in India.



Red Hat- Public Opinion

Rajeev Kumar, Journalist, Hindustan Times, Lucknow

Q) Should prostitution be legal in India?
A) Prostitution should not exist because this is the one profession which ensures and reinforces that a woman’s body is good for nothing but sex. Ironically the male-dominated society , against which women’s rights activists campaign, has had this view about women for long. I don’t want this profession to exist because it limits women’s capacity to realize their full human potential. Moreover, it is responsible for exploitation, trafficking of scores of women including minor girls. Imagine a 9-10 year old girl forced to live for and by sex, imagine a newly born girl growing up to live for and by sex…well the very thought can make a normal person feel disgusted.

Q) If prostitution is completely abolished, don’t you think that would increase rape?
A) I don’t think prostitution is a cure for depraved men’s tendency to rape. And even prostitutes can become victims of rape.

Q) What about the women who are in the profession by choice?
A) I haven’t met any prostitute. And I have no reason to believe anybody can be here by choice. If you are asking about the pimps, of course they are in the profession by choice for money.


Ishita Bhatnagar, Employee at Cenveo Publisher Services, Noida

Q) Should prostitution be legal in India?
A) I think yes. Prostitution can be legalized in India but with proper health and safety measures of the sex workers, as unsafe sex will only spread more sexually transmitted diseases. We cannot forget that it is a livelihood for thousands of women. It’s only the disgust that we have for the word, “prostitute” that debars the sex workers from the society. I believe the government should in fact give them proper wages, as they risk their own health and do good for others. Their family and children should be protected and given an equal chance for a better life, like all the poor sections of the society are entitled for.

Q) Can the legalization of prostitution eliminate rape?
A) Absolutely. Prostitution can be used as a source to divert energy of people who are bustling with sexual desires. It can help treat the psychopath mind of a rapist. One should be thankful that they serve the society in reducing rape.

Q) Don’t you think it is morally wrong and objectifying and degrading women?
A) It is the opinion that has come into view with time. If you go back in history, you will know that “prostitutes” were called “dev dasis” which literally mean servants of the gods. And again, if you see the work, it’s a service to the people-who are the creation of God. It is with time, and half imparted knowledge that the meanings have changed.

Journalism under threat? (Dissecting the challenges and opportunities)

White Hat- Facts and Figures


In the olden days, news traveled by the word of mouth. Kings and nobles used to spread news through messengers and through proclamations which were read out in public places.

Hindu mythology records the events of a one-man oral newspaper who supplied news to both heaven and earth, to god, demons and humans alike. He was Narada, a rishi, who by modern standards was considered to be an ace reporter; who was welcomed everywhere and was a friend of all and an enemy of none.

Journalism as a profession took a new turn from the beginning of the twentieth century. Nationalist agitation, rise of nationalism, the First and Second world wars and the introduction of representative government contributed to the rapid increase in newspaper readership.

Article 19 (1) of the Constitution of India provides that all citizens shall have the right “to freedom of speech and expression”. The courts have interpreted this as including freedom of the press. With the exception of the Internal Emergency of June 26, 1975, to March 21, 1977, there has been no censorship since Independence for Indian press.

Gandhi wrote in his autobiography, “In the very first month of Indian Opinion, I realised that the sole aim of journalism should be service”. Media, especially media in India rests on the philosophical base of service to society.

However, the world is increasingly becoming dangerous for the journalists. Since last 12 years, around 1,000 journalists have been killed while performing their duty. On an average, 100 journalists are murdered every year, and the murderers go unpunished in most of the cases.

Every job has its risks, but journalists are at greater risk than most others. Thousands each year are harassed, threatened and attacked for uncovering the truth. Unacceptably their phone calls and Internet communications are intercepted.

Due to this, journalists face emotional stress, threat to life, etc. and unfortunately it is becoming a common phenomenon with time.



Yellow Hat- Optimism/Support


In India, Journalistic freedom has been a part of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under our constitution. But, rational restrictions can be implied on this right in the interest of integrity and sovereignty of India, the security of the state, mortality or decency, public order, in relation to contempt of court and incitement or defamation to an offence.

Therefore, freedom of press is not the absolute freedom. According to the Third Annual International Federation of Journalists Press Freedom Report, South Asia is rated as the most dangerous place for journalists to work. Attacks on newsmen, a culture indemnity of the people who target journalists and an undemocratic & hostile media environment in many places depicts that journalists who try to report the truth do so with fear and several threats.

The significance of the freedom of press lies in the fact that for many people the panorama of personal familiarity with interesting events is unrealistic. Hence, to gather the accurate content, media act at large in the public interest. For the smooth functioning of democracy it is necessary that every citizen of our nation is informed about news, which will eventually manufacture a rationally operated society.

Media has always unveiled the social and economic evils of the country. Starting from the poverty to the suicides committed by farmers, from the so-called honor killings in many places by Khap panchayats to the emerging corruption, media has always been there for its people and deserves kudos for this.

Underdeveloped nations like India, media has a great responsibility to tackle backward ideology and help them with their fight against poverty. Since a huge proportion of Indian populace is ignorant and backward, media by creating awareness can make them a part of enlightened India. But at some point we have to agree that even media delivers twisted or imprecise news that contains the element of both truth and untruth.

This must also be avoided as partial truth can be more perilous than a complete lie. Media must not give any angle to the news, and avoid crass commercialization and yellow journalism. Then only the profession will gain respect from the people and justify its role in a democracy.



Black Hat- Criticism


Journalists have a lot to be worried about these days; besides the fear of losing jobs they are facing other grave dangers. The profession has never been more dangerous, and journalists have never felt so unsafe doing their jobs.

Last month, in a shocking incident, Akshay Singh, a journalist working for India Today Group suddenly fell ill and died after interviewing parents of a girl who was found dead after her name figured in the infamous Vyapam scam of Madhya Pradesh.

In June, another journalist, Sandeep Kothari who reported to regional newspapers in Madhya Pradesh, was suspected to have been murdered because of his refusal to withdraw a court complaint against individuals involved in a mining racket.

In the same month, Jagendra Singh was burned alive after he made allegations of corruption against a local politician. These tragic incidents illustrate the persistent problem in safety and security of journalists in India.

According to the reports since 1992, 43 journalists have been killed in India while doing their assignments. 16 of those killed, lost their lives while covering dangerous assignments and 27 were murdered while covering assignments related to politics and corruption.

Majority of the people, who are suspected to be involved in killings of journalists, are politicians. Journalists are not allowed to do their job freely. When they blow the whistle against the secrets of politicians that are kept under the carpet they are either threatened or killed.

The challenges media professionals face these days are unimaginably worse. People often take the news and journalists for granted and they expect live footage with journalists on scene reporting the news. These reporters are just like us but they are skilled at their jobs because they always have to cover or uncover every important event.

While we stay home safely in our living rooms, and forget that the people on the other side are risking their lives, often times, in investigation to bring us these stories. The International News Safety Institute research in an alarming figure shows that, 1,480 journalists and media workers have died doing their jobs in past 10 years, an average of 131 every year.

Journalists are the eyes and ears for people. It is high time for governments to take the responsibility of safeguarding journalists and ensure media professionals are able to report freely without fear of being attacked or killed while doing their legitimate job. Journalists like to tell the unheard story; they should not become the story.



Green Hat- Creative Solutions


There are a number of questions which can be asked when it comes to the quality of journalism and if it degrading with time. It can be said that slowly and gradually, the journalistic values and ethics are eroding by the way its practice is changing. However, the need is to look forward and think upon how the practice can be saved and its sanctity maintained.

One of the major reasons which can be regarded as a threat to honest journalism is the lack of laws which provide proper security to a journalist who reports against malpractices of an individual, organisation or the government. Press Council of India, the body which has the responsibility to ensure a strict watch on yellow journalism does not have strong powers to punish a media house if it violated the guidelines set by PCI.

Therefore, it is much needed that the PCI is given more powers and it becomes more active in penalising the media organisations which engage themselves into unethical procedures. More emphasis should be given on promoting and encouraging the alternate source of media and most importantly crowd funded media.

If the provider of news and information gets the money from general public then it is liable to the public itself. The media organisations which are owned by large corporate houses and politicians often surrender to the vested interests of these people.

Thus, the news which people receive in the end is filtered in a way that it fails to provide the entire truth to the people. Another problem which cannot be ignored is the poor state of our institutions who train the aspiring journalists for the industry.

There is an acute shortage of qualified and efficient teachers who have actual experience of working with a media organisation. Also, it is an imperative to impart the skills in the students through practical methods of teaching instead of theory.

Last but one of the most important is that the individuals who enter this profession remain true to themselves and follow the ethics of journalism. If a person is self-motivated, then he/she can bring about a positive change.



Red Hat- Public Opinion


Sujan Sengupta, Audio Engineer, 22, Kolkata

Q) There have been incidents in the past where journalists have been murdered. Do you think the profession is in danger now?
A) It’s a job of righteousness and bringing the truth to notice. An element of risk is involved, but every journalist is usually prepared to take on any obstacles in their way. Corruption and those who are afraid of their wayward ways being brought to the public eye are the only people who would want to harm an honest journalist. But getting through these obstacles and bringing true news to the public is a journalist’s ultimate goal.

Q) Do you think journalism in general is degrading?
A) I don’t think so at all. As long as there is no bias or corruption involved, it is a very respectable and necessary profession.

Q) Does news or journalism play an important role in your life? Are you influenced by a particular journalist?
A) Yes, off course it does. News is an integral part of everyone’s life. No matter what you do. If you’re a politician, businessman, sportsman, musician, actor or any other professional, the news of the world does affect us all in one way or the other. Before I decided to become a sound engineer, I was very keen on being a sports journalist. John Dykes, who has been a presenter and anchor for ESPN/Star Sports for over a decade, really inspired me as a football presenter and analyst.

Q) What, according to you, can be the way to prevent journalism from degrading?
A) If the fundamental principles of journalism, i.e unbiased and accurate portrayal of events and news to the people is carried out by all, there should not be anything stopping true journalism from prevailing.

Suman Mahfuz Quazi,22, Political Science student at Jamia Milia Islamia

Q) There have been incidents in the past where journalists have been murdered. Do you think the profession is in danger now?
A) Generally speaking about the increased crime rates at both urban and rural levels, pretty much everyone’s life is at stake. But it is perhaps interesting to note how the role of the journalist is not just reporting city gossip anymore and has elevated to a place of much more significance, in lieu of these recent trajectories.

Q) Do you think journalism in general is degrading?
A) I think journalism as a career option is blooming. It is no longer a course for the derelicts of the society and is almost mainstream. You just add whatever you love before as the prefix like food, fashion, travel, politics and then add journalism and you have a job! It was not so easy earlier. However, the quality of journalism on the whole is degrading. There are only a couple of networks you can listen to or read. It is mostly a collection of opinions and as a student of political science I often come across content that is very questionable factually.

Q) Nowadays, prime time news shows at news channels are focusing more on sensationalism. Does that seem to be real journalism to you?
A) Prime Time present like Arnab Goswami can not be called as journalists. They are news presenters. The stories that journalists nowadays cover are rubbish, mostly. Some are good. Online news channels tend to project a little more autonomy.

Q) What, according to you, can be the way to prevent journalism from degrading?
A) This is a task that can be only and wholly taken care of by the conscience of the journalist.



Blue Hat- Expert Opinion


Shib Mukherjee, Editor of Natya Mukhapatro, West Bengal

Q) ‘Journalism’ is termed as the ‘fourth’ pillar of democracy. Do you think that media follows this principle?
A). The Indian media house showed their strength during the time of Independene and on the days of Emergency. But after the Televesion news channels have come into play since the 90s, the corporations along with the politicians are controlling the media.Today, you will hardly find any media house which is unbiased.

Q) After the second press commission in the mid 90s, till date there is no guideline of the new press commission. Why is that?
A) The Government is very much aware of the fact that they cannot control the media, as every media house is serving the vested interest of the politicians themselves.

Q) The News Channels today acts as the guardian of the nation. Do you think that the format of evening talk shows is actually harming the nation at large?
A) The talk shows or prime time shows are becoming more like courts where media trial is carried out instead of proper debate or discussion. I do think that the talk shows are nothing but an exchange of foolish thoughts.

Q) In 2015, according to The Times, 167 journalists have been killed all over the world of which 29 were killed in India. How can journalists work without wear?
A) The Journalists should keep this principle in mind, “They are going there to make news and not to be in the news”. It is not a Utopia, and as I said the media industry is sold in the hands of Politicians and businessmen and they also don't care about the security of the journalists.