On the 12^th of May, veteran Al Jazeera journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh was killed at an early mid-age of 51 by Israeli Defense Forces. This is not the first time a journalist has had to lose one’s life for expressing facts and opinions. Journalism in the 21st century has transgressed further from just “manufacturing consent”, to being a storyteller in society.

“I chose journalism to be close to the people, it might not be easy to change the reality, but at least I could bring their voice to the world”, as asserted by Late Shireen Abu Akleh.

Statistics from the International Press Institute (IPI) show that 50 journalists get killed every year, each related to conforming to their writing duty or unearthing matters that are socially sanctioned or prohibited by law.

The victims are pressurized in giving up their investigation and if they fail to comply are shot point-blank. The case of Shireen may have been different from the rest covering a war zone “Israeli army raid on the Jenin refugee camp”. In her case, even the “Press Vest” that she was wearing at the time did not make any difference.

1443 journalists so far have been killed between 1992 and 2022 as per the report given by CPJ (Committee to Protect Journalists). According to IPI (International Press Institute), 45 journalists were killed in 2021, the IPI revealed that these journalists were killed “in connection with their work”.

The complete lack of apathy, ignorance of security mechanisms, and the continuous attack on journalists show that society is little concerned about its well-being but at the same time would receive and consume the information provided to them.

Safety Neglected

Being a household name matters little, your work is of little significance even though you may have exposed criminality in society, you will end up being shot. This is the tragic case with famed journalist Peter R de Vries from the Netherlands.

He was a crime reporter who spent a large part of his life dedicated to reporting crime and injustice. His fame or his work couldn’t save him. Reporters Without Borders (RWB) in Vries case made a statement saying “Europe was failing to protect its journalists”.

The insensitivity and the callousness on the part of the authorities in most cases are astoundingly alarming. Whereas in the case of Vries he was warned and even “refused” to take police protection. But, there are other intrinsic cases of journalists who have faced the wrath for performing their duty.

There is an increasing list and the trend of silencing journalists continues unabated and with impunity. The authorities are in no power to stop these incidents of well-planned assassinations from taking place.

Mexico, Afghanistan, and India are three major countries that hold the top three positions when it comes to attacks on the freedom of the press or the killing of journalists as per the IPI.

Media Digitization and Nepal

In Post 21^st century and with the rapid development of web technology it is little surprise that the information we receive has gone entirely online. We are at a phase where we may choose to read what we want and make well-informed decisions.

Journalists who are covering stories or investigations leading to high-profile exposure are at constant risk. The state must protect journalists who are putting their life on the line. While it is understandable that journalists sometimes do cross the line, is that reason enough to have one’s life snuff out. The cases of Charlie Hebdo and the assassination of journo Jamal Khashoggi portray our societal intolerance toward investigative critique and satirical journalism.

Nepal is no stranger to numerous killings of its journalists more so because it faced a decade-long insurgency. 35 journalists lost their lives during the decade of insurgency, the most famous case being journalist Dekendra Thapa a reporter based in Dailekh working for Radio Nepal, who was kidnapped and killed back in 2004.

Journalist Dekendra Thapa

Dekendra, a fierce and outspoken journalist, was tortured and killed in 2004 by Maoist insurgents in Dailekh, Nepal. After a protracted legal court proceeding, each of the five victims were sentenced for a period ranging one and a half to two years each.

We are at a critical juncture where the information we consume affects our collective decision-making ability and shapes a conscious view of how we perceive matters. Journalists should be given that space to bring their work out to the people without external hindrances or threats.

The cases of rapid assassination of journalists discourage the future lot or will create those who would compromise their work out of rationale trepidation.

Civil society and law enforcement must work closely to actively protect journalists who are at risk. By working closely not only can physical security be provided, but the information will have journalists cautioned and alert.

Each life of a journalist lost is an intellectual shunned, ideas abandoned and incapacitates the general masses. Collusiveness, misinformation, and absolute impunity will prevail over corrective justice.