"Press freedom has always been a big issue in India." - Vishal Jaiswal

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1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I belong to Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh. My father is a retired school teacher and mother is a homemaker. I completed my schooling from one of the State Govt. Schools. After completing graduation, I came to Delhi in 2015 to prepare for civil services exam. Since I always had interest in current affairs and I used to consume news a lot, my interest towards journalism grew. I appeared for the entrance test of Indian Institute of Communication, and got admission at New Delhi Centre. Later I worked with popular Hindi daily Amar Ujala for about three years and then joined The Wire where I am currently working.

2. What is your opinion about press freedom in India?

Press freedom has always been a big issue in India. The way the freedom of media was suppressed during the Emergency is not hidden from anyone. However, government interference on media has increased in the last few years, especially after 2014, and a large part of media has become the spokesperson of the government and it is spreading communalisation in the country. It's engaged in advancing the agenda of the ruling party. You will get an idea of this from the Global Press Freedom Index in which India is ranked 142 out of 180 countries. 

Many big journalists who have done journalism for many decades are forced to do independent journalism today because the media institutions run by the capitalists do not want to face the displeasure of power by giving place to their voice. Journalists like Gauri Lankesh are shot and killed, while many journalists and media institutions are facing litigation from the government directly for writing the truth. Journalists are also being harassed for exposing government flaws in the lockdown implemented during the Coronavirus epidemic.

3. Who is your favourite journalist and why?

As a journalist, I believe that bring out the flaws of the system is the real journalism. Even today there are many journalists in the country who are directly questioning in the eyes of power and they are paying the price for it. 

However, we know them, recognize them and they also get credit for their work. So as far as the favorite journalist is concerned, I prefer those regional journalists who continue to highlight the flaws of the system at their level without any cooperation and support. After this, the way they have to suffer from administrative harassment, only a few of the journalists stories are able to reach to us. At the same time, most regional journalists are stuck in the clutches of the system.

4. What do you think about the quality of journalism in India and how can it be improved?

In India, journalism is being done by only a few select media institutions. The mainstream media structure that was erected in a long time is not only dilapidated today but it is rotten in such a way that it is only spreading disease. There is no hope left from TV channels and Hindi newspapers. Reporting is being duly abolished from news channels and anchor culture is being given prominence. Due to this, the ground news has stopped coming and only the official statements are being presented to the public as truth.

At the same time, fake news is being promoted by big media institutions. The fake news of the exodus of Hindus in Kairana of Uttar Pradesh was spread by large and mainstream media institutions of the country. However, even at such times, digital media platforms such as The Wire, The Quint etc. along with newspapers like The Indian Express, The Hindu have ignited the flame of journalism in India.

5. What is your message to all aspiring journalists?

Journalism is not just a profession and if you just want to get into journalism to do a job then you need to think again. To get into this profession, you should realize your responsibility. There is a great need for good and young journalists to face the challenges of bad journalism in India.

6. If you could interview one famous person, who would that be and why?

I would like to interview Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he has not held any press conference since becoming Prime Minister and has given interviews only to his favorite journalists.


7. Which is your favourite book and why?

In recent times, I have read many books including Arundhati Roy's The Ministry of Utmost Happiness but Srilal Shukla's Raag Darbari is still the most favorite book that I read often. The reason for this is that the way Indian society and system is described in the Raga Darbari is still relevant today.

- Vishal Jaiswal

Interview by - Saumya Jaiswal