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Journalist Burned Alive In India For Facebook Post Exposing Corruption

Posted by Soulskill on from the rest-in-peace dept.

arnott writes: Journalist Jagendra Singh used a Facebook page to expose corruption in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Though he posted under a pseudonym, he was quickly found and burned alive by police, allegedly on the order of the minister accused. He died a week later from his injuries. This is not the first case of a journalist being attacked in this state. Amnesty International had urged the local government to launch an official investigation, and now five policemen and a politician have been brought up on murder charges. What can Facebook or other companies do to help these journalists report on corruption in a safe manner?

6 of 219 comments (clear)

  1. Burning people? by MobSwatter · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Perhaps India should look into the US 2nd amendment. Moral majority prefer better living conditions for everyone, corruption apposes that, be messy but the smart money is on the masses.

  2. Nothing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's not up to Facebook to do anything, other than comply with the applicable laws of the country they're located in. If the company inserted itself into a local and controversial political problem, then it could be putting its own employees at risk.

  3. Best case for encryption, ever by WOOFYGOOFY · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is exactly why strong encryption is a non-negotiable right. Without it, you'll be killed for your words, opinions and beliefs.

    1. Re:Best case for encryption, ever by fustakrakich · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Good idea. Put out a message nobody can read.

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  4. Re:one should note: governments are same everywher by cyberchondriac · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Wow, that didn't long for the irrelevant anti-US swipe, just 5 posts. This has jack-squat to do with the US, you know. Isn't this brown-skinned people oppressing other brown-skinned people? Can't deal with that truth though, so let's make an obligatory mention of the "evil" US.. And if you'd care to look at real statistics, cops don't routinely kill "innocent" people; incidents have occurred, yes, but it's certainly not a matter of policy or even general practice. The media might have you think otherwise, but they promote the hell out of sensational dirt, it's good for their bottom line, which is all they really care about.

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    Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.
  5. Re:Facebook anonymity by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Don't teach your journalists how to avoid being murdered. Teach your boys not to murder to gain and remain in power.

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    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.