The Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) notes with deep concern the harassment and threats that award-winning Delhi journalist Neha Dixit has been facing since September 2020. She has been stalked, openly threatened with rape and murder and viciously trolled, while an attempt to break into her apartment was made on January 25, 2021.
Some update from my end: #PressFreedom #RapeThreat #LifeThreat #Offlineviolence pic.twitter.com/cpNgzwvGDr
— Neha Dixit (@nehadixit123) January 27, 2021
It is shocking to learn that to date no FIR has been filed following her January 27 complaint to the police, which includes telephone numbers from which she has received threats. The callers try to instil fear in her by giving her exact location, inside her house as well as outside and even describe the clothes she is wearing on these occasions.
The IWPC views this as an act to intimidate Ms Dixit and prevent her from carrying out her professional duties. It is a blatant attempt to muzzle her and stop her from highlighting facts and/or happenings that may be uncomfortable to some authorities.
Certainly, this is a direct attack on the freedom of the press and a concerted strategy to silence objective media professionals.
Neha Dixit is not the first or only woman journalist who is being trolled, harassed, threatened with rape and physical assault and subjected to severe mental agony for carrying out her professional duties.
The IWPC urges the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure that immediate action is taken on Neha Dixit’s complaint, that the police file an FIR, investigate the matter and take strong action against the offenders.
This will not just help restore faith in Delhi Police’s commitment to the safety and security of Delhi’s women as well as its commitment to the ability of women journalists to carry out their work without fear or favour.
