Maharashtra Only State With Law to Protect Scribes

Source: Economic Times dated 25.11.2019

-- Rahul Tripathi, New Delhi

Preident Ram Nath Kovind gives nod to Bill on violence against media

Even as the political slugfest in Maharashtra continues, President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the Maharashtra Media Persons and Media Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Bill, 2017, one of the first laws in the country which ensures protection for journalists.

The Bill, passed by the Devendra Fadnavis government, has been pending for two years with the Centre and recommends punishment up to three years or a fine of up to ₹50,000 or both in case of attack on mediapersons on duty. Acts of violence against mediapersons will be treated as cognizable, nonbailable and cases under this law will be investigated by an officer not below the rank of DySP/ACP.

The law cautions on the filing of false complaints by a mediaperson for which he/ she can be tried and given a similar punishment. Chhattisgarh and Bihar, where several mediapersons have come under attack in the past, are also mulling a similar legislation for the safety of journalists.

As per the Maharashtra legislation, the offender shall be liable to pay compensation for damage or loss caused to the property of the mediaperson or the media house as determined by court. The assailant would be liable to reimburse the medical expenditure incurred by the mediapersons in the attack.

According to the World Press Freedom Index 2019, India dropped two places on a global press freedom index to be ranked 140th out of 180 countries in the annual ‘Reporters Without Borders’.