India: CFWIJ expresses concern over the rape and death threats against journalist Neha Dixit

January 27, 2021 — A reporter in New Delhi has been physically stalked and threatened since last year. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is very concerned about the threats of rape, acid attack and death against the journalist. We demand the Indian authorities to find the perpetrators and ensure the journalist’s safety amidst the threats.

Neha Dixit, a reporter in New Delhi, has taken to Twitter to share how she has been stalked since September 2020. Moreover, she has also said that someone tried to break into her house on January 25, but they retreated when she shouted and opened the door. 

“The stalker identifies my exact physical location on phone calls and threatens me with rape, acid attack and death, clearly bringing my profession as a journalist into conversation,” she recounted. She continues, “Several numbers are used to make calls through three-four different voices and over two dozen phone numbers. The stalker also indicates the whereabouts of my partner Nakul, who is a documentary filmmaker, and threatens to kill us both.”

Neha has filed a police complaint at the local police station, and the matter is under investigation. The journalist said it is necessary to put this on record, as she feels that serious action is needed to counter physical threats and attacks. 

“I also want to say that I don’t want this to become about me. An integral part of my training as a reporter is that ‘the reporter is not the story’.” Neha hopes that sharing her harrowing experience will encourage action against physical threats to media professionals around the world. 

CFWIJ condemns the malicious threats against the Neha. We urge the Indian authorities to take action and put an end to the dangerous intimidation of journalists throughout the country.