Lok Sabha Question No. 816 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-25
Subject: Attack on Media  Persons
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: M. K. Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 816 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25-07-2023

## ATTACK ON MEDIA PERSONS

816: SHRI M. K. RAGHAVAN:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  observed  the  large  scale  attacks  on  media persons are reported in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is of the view that attack on media freedom by the Government agencies violates the fundamental right of expression and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to contain the spread of false news in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has data regarding the number of media companies that have shut operations since 2019 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  steps and measures that are being taken by the Government to ensure freedom of press and safety and welfare of journalists in India?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND

## MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

(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 and investigation  of  crimes  and  for  prosecuting  the  criminals  through their  law  enforcement  agencies.  National  Crime  Records  Bureau (NCRB)  does  not  maintain  data  separately  for  Journalists/  media personnel.

Central  Government  attaches  highest  importance  to  the  safety and security of all citizens of the country including journalists. The Ministry of Home Affairs have issued advisories to States and UTs, from time to time, to maintain law and order and ensure that any person who takes law into his/her own hand is punished as per law.

- (c)  A  Fact  Check  Unit  has  been  set  up  under  Press  Information Bureau  under  the  Ministry  of  Information  and  Broadcasting  in November, 2019 which takes cognizance of fake news relating to the Central Government both suo-motu and by way of queries sent by citizens on its portal or through e-mail and social media. The Unit responds to the relevant queries with correct and updated information related to the policies, schemes, guidelines, initiatives, etc of the Government of India.
- (d) The Government does not separately maintain data on operationalisation of private media organizations.
- (e)  In  pursuance  of  its  policy  to  uphold  the  freedom  of  press,  the Government does not interfere in the functioning of the press. Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory autonomous body, has been set up  under  the  Press  Council  Act,  1978  mainly  to  preserve  the freedom of the Press and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in the country. PCI is also empowered to take suomotu  cognizance  in  matters  on  the  pressing  issues  concerning freedom  of  Press  and  safeguarding  of  its  high  standards.  This Ministry  also  implements  Journalist  Welfare  Scheme  to  provide financial  assistance  to  journalists  or  their  families  under  extreme hardship  on  account  of  death,  permanent  disability,  treatment  for major ailments and accidents causing serious injuries necessitating hospitalization.

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