E-Kantipur

DEC 10 -

In Dhanusha district, Janakpur, in 2010, journalist Manika Jha was attacked in her home by an armed intruder who fled when she managed to raise the alarm. A reporter on corruption and women’s rights for Sandhyakalin daily, the Rajdhani daily and Nayabichaar weekly, Jha does not know the names of the assailant, but says the attack is a reaction to her reportage on women’s issues. She continues to report on cases of rape and murder, especially of female victims in the Tarai, but faces obstacles at her workplace. Jha spoke to The Post this week on her struggles as a female journalist working in the Tarai and her recent trip to Europe where she met with organisations willing to protect her as a Woman Human Rights Defender (WHRD).

There are a lot of stories on culture and festivities to your name in the Rajdhani daily. How have your stories changed over the years and who has been your inspiration?

I write all kinds of news as a stringer for the Rajdhani daily based in Janakpur—from sports to business. My stories on violence and crime—mostly domestic violence and crime against women—are published in local papers like Sandhyakalin. I derived a lot of inspiration from Uma didi (martyr Uma Singh), who was my senior at Sandhyakalin. When I initially joined the profession, I knew very little about the field. But along the years, I saw Uma didi report fearlessly on cases of impunity that were affecting the community. It made me realise that such reporting is necessary and that I must do it too.

Are the threats you get mostly from the criminals that your stories expose or do you get threatened otherwise too?

I get more threats for my stories in Sandhyakalin. I’d say the problem is mainly cultural—people in the Tarai especially are averse to women knowing too much about society. Those who threaten me are ones who are violent against women in general. When I wrote about Rupa Karni of Janakpur—who was hung and killed because her in-laws were not happy with the dowry she got them—for the Rajdhani daily, I had followed up the story till the family’s trial at court. But I was threatened for the whole coverage by the girl’s in-laws and brother. Sometimes, even my male colleagues discourage me. While writing about a rape case where a body was thrown in the fields, I was scolded for making it such a big deal. But I felt like I had to carry on because if I’d leave it, it would discourage others from covering such issues too. In general, I have to think 10 times before writing about women’s issues because of such an environment. People in the Tarai don’t want women’s issues to surface. The Tarai doesn’t want its women’s voices to be heard.

What about for other crime stories? Do you get threatened for them too?

Crime stories are equally challenging to cover as are stories on women’s issues. Murder stories are reluctantly reported and seldom labeled as a case of murder. Following up with a case of murder, on the other hand, brings in threats. People are okay with general reporting, but trouble surely comes in upon following up.

Could you tell us about your recent speaking tour in Europe?

In the course of the speaking tour, I met many international organisations including Reporters without Borders, the BBC Nepali service, Free Press Unlimited, the Rory Peck Trust, London and the Amnesty International. My focus for the tour was to communicate about the insecure environment in which journalists like myself work and also for the lack of training and opportunities for journalists outside of the Kathmandu Valley. I made connections with several correspondents from Reporters without Borders, and some of them are now in Kathmandu. They email me regularly to inquire about my well-being. I need physical protection, I contact some of the local Human Rights Organisations I have been working with.

Jha continues to report on cases of violence against women in Dhanusha district, Janakpur

Posted on: 2011-12-10 09:28

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