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 three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether 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 compensation to the family members of the victim and 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 STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING, ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) & (b): National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), an attached office of M/o Home Affairs, has started collection of data under `attack on media` through Monthly Crime Statistics since January, 2014. The provisional State/UT wise data regarding cases registered under `attack on media persons` during 2014 is annexed. Prior to this, the specific data regarding attack on media was not centrally maintained.

(c) to (e): The Press Council of India (PCI) has informed that the Council has set up a Committee to examine the larger issue of safety of journalists in discharge of their duties, with a view to gather facts and evidences. The Government has not received yet the Report of the Committee set up by the Press Council of India. However, the Government of India has an existing scheme titled `Journalist Welfare Scheme`, which provides for one time ex-gratia relief on urgent basis to the family of a working journalist in the event of his death.