In a discourse at MBIFL'24 on the topic, 'Will journalism become a threatening job?' R Rajagopal, senior journalist at 'The Telegraph' confessed that he has been 'promoted' to be the Editor-at-large and will have to write only one column per month. 

From being an active news editor to being forcibly kept away, Rajagopal said that he now speaks his mind by sharing his political views openly at seminars and sessions in and around Kerala.

Senior journalist G Pramod Kumar, his fellow panelist shared his anguish at the government's changing attitude towards the fourth estate, the media. He has worked for 'The Hindu', 'PTI', and 'UNDP' in Asia Pacific for years. His rich experience made him state that freedom of media can be exercised only in democratic countries. Western European countries and the US have liberal democracy and hence media is fearlessly active, he said.

He asserted that strong resistance from the legacy media or the mainstream media can only help to outgrow the suppression of free speech by the government. 

Pramesh Kumar D, senior journalist and Mathrubhumi deputy news editor was the moderator of the session. 

Rajagopal opined that job security in media is a  relative concept.  "Arnab Goswami's Journalism is safe in BJP India while Siddharth Varadarajan's is unsafe."

"There have been times in the history of Kashmir when newspapers protested by carrying soft news other than political or government news. This is similar to the media protest during the Emergency, where blank dark pages were displayed on newspapers," he said.

"The Emergency of Indira Gandhi's regime and the usurping media Emergency of the present times are different. Indira Gandhi followed a pattern of witch-hunting institutions. Now, sociopathic vengeance is taken against those who speak against the Government. Journalists Rajnath and Barkha Dutt are examples. Modi is just an instrument of RSS in this pre-planned template," Rajagopal continued.

"The only hope in improving the system is vested upon the resistance of the civil society. When media is suppressed, it is the oppression of citizens. The question should be changed from 'Is a journalist in danger to Is an Indian in danger, " Pramod Kumar opined. 

 "Impunity of crime is increasing and hence a collective decision should be taken without distinction. Access to information is denied in various places. Reporters at all levels are targeted. The human rights of journalists and citizens are given the least value and respect in India.
2 November of every year is marked by UNESCO as the day to end impunity of crime against journalists. One of the least paid jobs in the country is that of a media personnel," he concluded.

Rajagopal voiced that journalism is not a profession. The very fact that it is considered a profession kills the purpose of it.

 "Journalists should be fearless, open to criticism, and be open to social auditing. Collective resistance from amongst journalists against the usurping suppression isn't happening. This is where the danger of a journalistic life begins," he said.