By Neha Dixit
Members of the Delhi chapter of the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) met coordinators of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Axelle Thibault and Laetitia Cesseron at the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) premises on May 16, 2025.
Sweta, Anuja, Tanya, Neelam, Parul, Jaishree, Poorvi, Jigyasa, Mohsina, Seemi, Neha and honorary member Vayu attended the meeting.
The RSF team spoke about their work in India. Their priority campaign is to defend journalists against harassment-physical and legal, which they face because of their work. RSF is also facilitating capacity building by providing equipment, power generation resources, internet, and bulletproof jackets in conflict zones. They are focussed on fighting propaganda in the news. RSF is aware of the situation in Kashmir and the recent Indo-Pak conflict. They have been helping mirror websites that have been blocked by respective governments. The RSF team said any Indian media organisation facing the same should contact them so they can help.
Thibault and Cesseron also spoke about the Svoboda Satellite project. It is a broadcasting initiative that delivers independent and pluralistic media content to Russian speakers worldwide, including Russia. This project aims to combat disinformation and provide access to a wider range of perspectives. RSF is working on an initiative for certification of news organisations to guarantee transparency and independence.
NWMI Delhi members raised their concerns, including support for journalists in Kashmir. They discussed the possibility of a partnership between NWMI and RSF to issue press cards for independent journalists, and work opportunities for them. Members also spoke about training news organisations to ensure ethical treatment of independent journalists. This includes issuing contracts for commissioned pieces that enlists payment and legal protection. Other topics discussed included solutions to deal with detention during the pre-reporting of a story by independent journalists, surveillance by the state and dilemmas while teaching and training journalists in the present times.
