Question : Attacks on Journalists

(a) whether several cases of attacks on journalists have come to the notice of the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of such cases reported during the past six years and the current year so far, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Press Council of India has constituted any committee to study increasing incidents of attacks on journalists and if so, the details thereof and the findings/ recommendations of the committee along with the action taken by the Government thereon;

(d) whether Press Council of India has proposed a separate legislation to fast track such cases and payment of compensation to the family member of the victims, if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE: MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
[SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR]

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.




STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 88 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2020 ON “ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS”

(a) & (b): ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India and State Governments are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through their law enforcement agencies.
Central Government attaches highest importance to the safety and security of every citizen of the country including journalists. An advisory specifically on safety of journalists was issued to States/ UTs on 20th October 2017 requesting them to strictly enforce the law to ensure the safety and security of media persons, which is available on the website www.mha.gov.in.

(c) to (e): The Press Council of India had constituted a Sub-Committee to examine the issue of Safety of Journalists. The report of Sub-Committee submitted on 23.7.2015 carried various recommendations with regard to safety and security of Journalists. The Ministry of Home Affairs has examined the said report and opined that the existing laws are adequate for protection of the citizens, including journalists.

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