The times of jeopardising free speech

Press freedom is at stake in India, which holds a dismal rank of 159 among 180 countries in the Press Freedom Index 2024. While dissent and democracy ideally go hand in hand, a glance at the present situation in India suggests that these terms are perceived as antonyms in practice. The state is exerting its repressive power over dissenters, particularly targeting media outlets that do not align with the state’s interests. The media has a great responsibility and obligation to the citizens to bring out real stories with diligence and truthfulness. In India, the depiction of socioeconomic and political realities is mostly done at utmost risk and with an air of uneasiness. The truth remains elusive to the majority of the public, as they receive information from a restrained source constantly under government surveillance. This article aims to analyse the current situation of media and democracy in India with reference to freedom of speech and expression. The writing is an outcome of analysing the past and present sociopolitical contexts in India concerning the concept of free speech.