See Full Document Text
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
RAJYA SABHA
ADMITTED UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1691
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026)
‘PROTECTION OF JOURNALISTS’
1691. SMT. PRIYANKA CHATURVEDI:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government is aware that a number of Kashmiri journalists were summoned by
the police for interrogation regarding routine reporting, affecting press freedom;
(b) specific cases, charges filed and justification for treating journalism as a security threat;
(c) whether intimidation is intended to silence critical reporting, given "bigger story in
Kashmir is media's silence on action against its own";
(d) steps ensuring journalist safety, protection from harassment for reporting facts; and
(e) whether Government acknowledges that a thriving democracy requires a free press or
whether Kashmir's media suppression is acceptable?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION & BROADCASTING; AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
[DR. L. MURUGAN]
(a) to (e):
The Government, through the statutory mandate of the Press Council of India (PCI), reaffirms
its commitment to preserving the freedom of the press while maintaining professional
standards, recognizing that a free and independent press is essential to a functioning
democracy.
The Press Council of India, a statutory quasi-judicial body, registers and adjudicates
complaints pertaining to curtailment of press freedom, including complaints relating to attacks
on or threats to journalists, through its complaint redressal mechanism under Section 13 of the
Press Council Act, 1978, in accordance with the Press Council (Procedure for Inquiry)
Regulations, 1979. Further, under Regulation 13 of the said Regulations, the Hon’ble
Chairperson of the Press Council of India is empowered to take suo-motu cognizance of
matters where a prima facie violation of press freedom is observed.'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, including crimes related to attack on journalist, and for prosecuting the criminals
through their law enforcement agencies. The Ministry of Home Affairs have issued advisories
to States and UTs, from time to time, to maintain law and order.
********