Question : Attack on Journalists

(a) whether it is a fact that there is a rise in the number of attacks on journalists in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the number of journalists killed/injured during each of the last three years and and the current year, State-wise including Bihar;

(c) whether it is also a fact that journalists have become victims of State machinery and face harassment for exposing malpractices or irregularities and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to enact a legislation for giving protection to journalists from harassment and attacks by unscrupulous elements; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) to (b): National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has started collecting data on attack on media persons under grievous hurt
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LS USQ No. 1568 for 26.07.2016
since 2014. Data on attack on journalists is not maintained separately. As per available data, a total of 114 cases were registered and 32 persons were arrested under attack on media persons (grievous hurt) during 2014. A State-wise statement is enclosed at Annexure.

(c) to (e): ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and therefore, the State Governments are primarily responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through the machinery of their law enforcement agencies, as also for protecting the life and property of the citizens.

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