THE year 2025 has begun on an ominous note, with the shocking murder of a journalist.

The National Alliance of Journalists (NAJ), the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ), the Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists Federation(APWJF) and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ Delhi unit)  send out their first press release of the year on January 4, with grief and shock at the killing of Bastar journalist Mukesh Chandrakar on January 1, 2025. He was a young stringer for NDTV and also ran his own popular YouTube channel, Bastar Junction.

The unions demanded that this murder be seriously investigated and those responsible be given strict and speedy punishment. Journalists in Chhattisgarh face many challenges and are frequently caught between pressures from State agencies and Maoist groups. The lack of protection and the lack of action to stop atrocities make media persons extremely vulnerable.   

Mukesh Chandrakar was allegedly murdered after he published news of corruption in the building of a village road in Bastar. His body was found in a newly cemented up septic tank on land owned by a contractor. However, given the range of his reportage and commentary on issues facing the turbulent state, a full-fledged investigation is called for.  The unions welcomed Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s statement promising action and await it. 

Compensation for the bereaved family is also awaited.

The journalist unions reminded that at least 28 journalists have been killed in India since 2014. In most cases, investigation and prosecution have been poor, leaving desperate families to fight cases in the courts for years together, they said.