Malini Subramaniam

(India) is an award-winning Indian investigative journalist and contributor to the independent news website scroll.in.
Until recently, Subramaniam was based in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, where she sought to shine a light on the plight of those living in a region rocked by insecurity and Maoist insurgency, reporting on the alleged torture of journalists, allegations of sexual violence committed by the security forces in Bijapur, and on alleged human trafficking, among other topics. In February of this year, after a vigilante group began protesting outside her home, demanding, “Death to Malini Subramaniam” and attempted to incite her neighbours to attack her home. Later the same evening unidentified assailants threw stones at her house. Subramaniam and her family were forced to leave their home after the local authorities not only failed to defend her, but intimidated her maid and put pressure on her landlord to evict her. Subramaniam’s experience has exposed the situation in the state to international scrutiny. Journalists in Chhattisgarh are under sustained pressure from the authorities and rebels alike. A recent fact-finding mission by the Editors Guild of India reports that not one journalist feels safe. At least two other journalists have fled the state, while four have been detained by the authorities. Subramaniam is the recipient of CPJ (Committee to protect journalists) 2016 International Press Freedom Award.