Press Council of India adopts report on arrests, wrongful detention of journalists
It called on the Union government to introduce a new law for the security and protection of media professionals.
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The Press Council of India has adopted a report on the arrests and wrongful detention of journalists in the country, albeit with a dissent note from its chairperson, former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai.
The report – Arrests, Wrongful Detentions and Intimidation of Media Personnel – has been authored by Press Council member Gurbir Singh. It was adopted by the council on September 27 and a copy was shared with Scroll on Thursday.
The Press Council is a statutory, adjudicating body established in 1966 and operates as per the provisions of the Press Council Act, 1978.
“Five journalists were killed and 226 others were targeted by state agencies, non-state political actors, anti-social elements and criminals across India during 2023,” the report says, citing data from the India Press Freedom Annual Report released on May 3, the World Press Freedom Day.
Singh also points out that, according to private surveys, the Indian news organisations are functioning under “severe constraints”. India was ranked 159 out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index 2024, it points out.
“Giving a breakdown of the numbers, the report, released by the India Freedom of Expression Initiative, an alliance of press freedom NGOs, said while 148 journalists were targeted by state actors, 78 journalists were targeted by the...
