Chhattisgarh, a state born in 2000 from Madhya Pradesh, once remained a quiet corner of India. Despite being rich in minerals and forests, it was largely disconnected from the rest of the country. However, the past decade has seen an explosion in infrastructural growth, especially roads. With investments of over Rs 20,000 crore, the state’s development has been fast-tracked. But this surge in development comes with its own dark side: corruption, and the brave journalists who risk everything to expose it.

The Price of Progress

The massive influx of funds, particularly into road construction projects, promised to transform Chhattisgarh. However, this rapid development also created a fertile ground for corruption. Contractors, officials, and local politicians were soon caught in a web of misappropriation. Journalists like Mukesh Chandrakar, a young freelance reporter, bravely dug into these scandals. Through his YouTube channel Bastar Junction, he exposed stories of irregularities in government contracts, challenging powerful figures in the region. Tragically, his untimely death under suspicious circumstances is a stark reminder of the heavy toll such work takes on journalists in rural India.

The Silent Suffering of Freelance Journalists

Chandrakar’s death is part of a larger, worrying trend. Freelance journalists, often without institutional support, are increasingly vulnerable to retaliation when they report on corruption. These journalists, who lack the financial backing of large media outlets, are easy targets for those in power. They often face threats, physical assaults, or even false legal charges. For instance, in 2022, Rupesh Kumar Jha, a journalist from Jharkhand, was slapped with serious charges, including those under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), after he reported on rising industrial pollution.

The Digital Divide: Struggling to Be Heard

In today’s digital age, many small blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels have emerged as vital platforms for investigative journalism. However, these independent outlets often struggle to survive in the face of corporate media giants. They are constantly up against political lobbies and financial pressures that make it difficult to challenge the powerful. The Editors’ Guild of India and the National Union of Journalists have repeatedly raised alarms about the safety of journalists, especially those in regional and vernacular media. India’s steady decline in the global press freedom index is a clear indication of how precarious the situation is for journalists in smaller towns and rural regions.

Growing Violence Against Journalists

The growing violence against journalists in India is a deeply troubling trend. Senior Marathi journalist Nikhil Wagle had his vehicle damaged by protesters in February 2024, while in the same month, Odia journalist Jyoti Ranjan Mohapatra was assaulted by a group of men. Just months later, Buddhinath Jha, a young reporter from Bihar, was found dead under brutal circumstances after investigating illegal medical practices. These incidents serve as chilling reminders of the physical danger that journalists face when they dare to speak truth to power.

A Legacy of Sacrifice

The history of journalists being targeted for exposing corruption in India goes back decades. In the early 1980s, Umesh Dobhal, a Hindi journalist from Uttarakhand, disappeared after uncovering the activities of the local liquor mafia. A subsequent CBI investigation revealed the mafia’s involvement in his disappearance. Yet, justice was slow to come. Sadly, this pattern persists today, where those who try to expose wrongdoing are often silenced or threatened, while the wrongdoers remain free to continue their illegal activities.

Local Journalism: The Voice of the Voiceless

Despite the many challenges, local journalists in rural areas hold a unique advantage. They are deeply embedded in their communities, speak the local languages, and understand the issues affecting the people. This allows them to report on problems that may be overlooked by mainstream media. While large media outlets can rely on resources like helicopters and fleets of cars, local journalists often have only their determination, local connections, and social media to amplify their stories. However, the lack of institutional support and constant threats make their work incredibly dangerous.

A Grim Reality

The death of Mukesh Chandrakar is a tragic loss, but it is not just the loss of a life. It is the loss of one more voice that could have brought corruption into the light. Every time a journalist like Chandrakar or Buddhinath Jha is silenced, we lose more than just their stories — we lose a critical chance for change. These journalists, despite the personal risks, continue to serve as a beacon of hope for transparency and justice in their communities. Their sacrifice calls attention to the urgent need for better protection and recognition of their work. In the battle against corruption and injustice, these journalists are our unsung heroes, and their voices must not be silenced.