The story the Article14 website did, on February 18, on the intimidation of journalists in Kashmir was chilling on many counts, not least for the credit line of its anonymous author. It read, “The reporter of this story requested anonymity, fearing reprisal from the Jammu and Kashmir government.” When journalists do not take bylines for exclusive stories, you know they are living in a land where the rule of the ruler, not of law, operates.

The Article14 story was chilling also for its detailing of the fate of Fahad Shah, editor-in-chief of The Kashmir Walla, which had carried on its website a family’s claim that their son, gunned down by security forces, was not a militant. This claim contradicted the police’s version, which The Kashmir Walla, too, had featured. The “he-said-they-said” stories often define the limits beyond which journalists cannot investigate. Yet Shah was tossed into prison under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.