'Something is not good in Indian journalism,' says India broadcaster after Club screening of documentary about him

"When your government labels you a communist and comes after you, it's time for you to realize that you are losing your rights."

No, these are not the words of Edward R. Murrow. These are the words of prominent Indian broadcast journalist Ravish Kumar, former senior executive editor of Indian broadcaster NDTV.

Kumar spoke them in the documentary "While We Watched," which was screened at the National Press Club Oct. 3. The film follows his struggle to report independent news in India while coming under attacks from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP party and Hindu nationalists.

The documentary, directed by Vinay Shukla, explores the state of press freedom in India. Interspersed with footage of Kumar’s everyday struggles to report the news while under constant threats of violence, the Club audience got a glimpse of a media landscape where independent news organizations are being snuffed out, and the remaining mainstream news media openly cheer on the ruling government and accuse any opposing views as traitorous.

After the screening, Club President Eileen O’Reilly praised Kumar’s resolve and called on the Indian government to protect its democratic foundation by ensuring that journalists can freely and independently do their jobs. She noted that earlier that day the Indian government had arrested Prabir Purkayastha, editor of the independent news outlet NewsClick, and a dozen staff members and journalists.

"India is the world's largest democracy, and any democracy has to have press freedom," she said.

After the screening, Kumar said that while he wasn’t directly affected by the most recent clampdown on independent news media in India, it has taken a mental toll.

“Psychologically, mentally it affects all of us who think that India brings a great hope for the rest of the world,” he said. “Something is not good in Indian journalism; this profession is dying, being butchered every day, and we are just watching helplessly.”

Kumar said he’s especially concerned for young Indian journalists who are trying to get a foothold in the profession and are under attack by the government. Despite the struggle, he said that his job is to arm the Indian public “against the lies and deceit” of those with power.

For those who were unable to attend the screening, the documentary is currently streaming on PBS.org.