Gagged Dissent: Independent Voices Under Siege

About The Book 

In this fearless and deeply personal work, journalist Vaidehi Taman takes you through the turbulent journey of Indian journalism - its proud beginnings, its compromises, its fall into circus- like spectacle, and its struggle for survival in the age of social media. In this book, ""Gagged Dissent"" she narrates the falling credibility of main stream media and how dissent was muzzled, yet survives.

From the rebel press of colonial India, where newspapers were weapons of freedom, to the golden decades after Independence when fearless editors could shake governments, the story begins with hope and fire. It then moves through darker times, as corporate ownership, political mafias, and lobby-driven bias weakened the fourth estate, turning newsrooms into echo chambers and prime- time into theatre.

Yet, amidst the chaos, Vaidehi reveals the resilience of independent voices - bloggers, citizen journalists, ethical digital platforms, and social media movements that continue to challenge power and amplify the voiceless. Drawing on over two decades in mainstream media and later as Founder - Editor of Afternoon Voice and The Democracy, she shares not just sharp critique but also intimate reflections - her battles, her heartbreak, her hope.

This is not only the story of journalism's decline but also a reminder that truth still survives, often quietly, waiting for support. It is also a bold account of how sane voices, dissenters, and peaceful protests are often punished and harassed under what feels like an undeclared emergency and an invisible dictatorship.

A memoir and a manifesto, this book is a call to readers: support independent journalism, embrace your role as citizen journalists, and remember - governments come and go, but what remains constant is you and me. Without journalism, democracy is blind. Without truth, we are lost in darkness.

About The Author 

Vaidehi Taman is not just a journalist; she is a storyteller, a reformer, and a seeker whose journey transcends the boundaries of newsrooms and headlines. Hailing from Maharashtra, she has carved her place in the annals of Indian journalism as a fearless voice committed to truth, ethics, and justice. Over the years, she has become a visionary thinker, a healer of minds and souls, and a beacon of inspiration for countless people who draw strength from her words and her work.

As the Founder–Editor of Afternoon Voice and The Democracy, Vaidehi has nurtured parallel media spaces where ethical journalism and fearless expression are not just ideals but daily practices. Her professional odyssey has taken her through some of India’s most prestigious institutions—The Times of India, Free Press Journal, Sunday Observer, and Afternoon Despatch & Courier—where her unwavering integrity strengthened the tradition of honest reporting. In a media landscape often compromised by corporate and political pressures, her uncompromising commitment to truth has left an enduring mark.

Her literary journey has been equally bold. Author of eight diverse and acclaimed books, she has explored social critique, spiritual wisdom, fiction, and national identity with unmatched courage and insight: