Samikhsya Bureau
Is there really an atmosphere of fear looming on the fourth pillar in India? Although no one from the governments’ side would endorse a situation when media is being gagged or impeded but instances of muzzling the voices of people from the media got reflected many times .
Let’s take a look at a small yet an instance of serious nature, which took place near an Esplanade in Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha.
It was not unusual when a reporter chose to reveal some unlawful realities those relates to the citizens’ interest. The reporter of a web channel in Odisha along with her technical crew made an attempt to expose the nexus operating an unlawful parking racket at a commercial location in the city.
Price paid for being intrepid
Swati Jena, the reporter of Argus, a web channel, was doing a report on the unauthorised parking charges when she was dealt with a shock.
As reports say, she and her colleague were roughed up by the parking gang , detained inside a room and were allegedly subjected to mental harassment.
It all happened in public gaze, and brazenly so, with all slanders being mouthed by the parking gang at a lady reporter .
Where was the police ? which always maintains a pretense to diligence to protect itself against criticism.Was the local police not aware that, parking fees have been exempted by the State and yet a gang, obviously backed by the cops, was charging people and people were also paying.
What in fact, makes it so hard for the system, if a journalist tries to tell the truth ! Media maintains an attachment with objectivity and even handedness.
But, the system or the police, looks at it through a different prism, which is mutually beneficial !
