

West Bengal journalist who covered corruption reported missing in India
A correspondent who wrote about corruption for a Bengali-language daily has been reported missing in the Indian state of West Bengal. Chayan Sarkar’s disappearance comes as a number of journalists have been attacked after reporting on corruption around India.

TV journalist investigating Vyapam scam dies on assignment in India
The sudden and mysterious death of journalist Akshay Singh, while investigating one of the biggest recruitment scams in India over the past decade, has been deemed suspicious as it cannot be isolated from other deaths connected to the scam.

Journalist shot and thrown out of a car in Assam, India
The motive of the attack on journalist Prasanta Kumar is not clear although police suspect that an Assam terrorist outfit is behind it as he was actively writing against the extortion drive and the ongoing anti-terrorist operations.

Another journalist burnt to death in India
Journalist Sandeep Kothari had reported extensively on illegal mining in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and had filed a case against an illegal mining gang.

Indian journalist beaten, dragged after another burned to death
Police have reportedly opened an investigation centred on a man that journalist Haider Khan’s reporting implicated in a wrongful land transfer.

Call for investigation into journalist’s burning death; police accused
Before he died, Indian freelance journalist Jagendra Singh alleged that police set him on fire; he also accused an Uttar Pradesh minister of “unleashing a reign of terror” on him and his family in reprisal for his investigative reports and critical comments.

Indian netizens take up the fight for Internet freedom
The net neutrality debate that captured the attention of internet users in the U.S. and turned them into digital advocates has now reached the world’s largest democracy.

Groups call on India to repeal laws threatening free expression, democracy
The chill on free expression silences political criticism and often discourages marginal voices from speaking out on sensitive social, cultural, and religious matters.

As Modi marks one year in office, space for criticism is shrinking
“Modi has tightened the screws on information.” This statement from Bangalore-based journalist Subir Ghosh underscores a common challenge repeated by several of India’s journalists, who say the space for criticism is shrinking under Narendra Modi’s rule.

India’s free speech debate is alive and well
The Supreme Court of India recently struck down section 66A of the IT Act. The landmark decision signals a move towards greater protection of free expression in the world’s largest democracy; but there is still much to do.

In landmark ruling, India’s Supreme Court chooses to protect online speech
By striking down Section 66A as unconstitutional, the Supreme Court has struck a blow for free expression in the world’s largest democracy.

A documentary banned in India, but conversation about women’s safety continues
The banning of the documentary “India’s Daughter” is seen as another example of the chilling climate of censorship in the country. Nevertheless, if the filmmakers wanted to inspire a conversation about rape and attitudes about women, the ban may have inadvertently aided their cause.

Indian editor arrested for republishing “Charlie Hebdo” cartoon
After republishing a “Charlie Hebdo” cartoon, Indian editor Shirin Dalvi was forced into hiding and started wearing a hijab due to threats. Publication of the newspaper has also been shut down following the incident.

Tamil novelist’s portrayal of Hindu shrine, female devotees angers organisations in India
In December, Hindu organisations in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu launched a campaign against writer and professor Perumal Murugan, culminating in the burning of copies of his novel in protest of the book’s portrayal of a Hindu shrine and its female devotees.

India urged to investigate beating of rights activist, harassment of group uncovering security force abuses
The authorities should drop politically motivated charges against members of MASUM, an NGO based in Kolkata, India that has long reported on abuses by the police and Border Security Force.

West Bengal government restricts journalists’ movement in government building
The West Bengal Police passed an order last week stating that journalists will not be allowed to enter any of the government department’s offices without prior permission from the authorities. It also stated that if journalists are found violating the order, they would be arrested and charged under the Indian Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act.