'Doesn't Need Validation From Foreign Orgs': Govt in Response to Question on Declining Press Freedom

New Delhi: In response to a parliament question about the decline in India’s press freedom rankings and cases of violence and intimidation of journalists, the Union government has stated that “India has a vibrant press and media ecosystem, which does not need validation from foreign organisations.”

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP in Rajya Sabha Manoj Kumar Jha had asked the Minister for Information and Broadcasting whether the government has undertaken any review to assess the decline in India's press freedom rankings and the reported rise in intimidation, legal harassment and violence against journalists in recent years.

“Whether any steps have been taken to strengthen institutional mechanisms like the Press Council of India to protect press freedom from political interference; and the measures being planned to ensure that journalists can work without fear or pressure from government or political actors?” Jha had asked in an unstarred question.

Instead of replying to Jha’s specific question about the steps taken by the government to assess the decline in India's press rankings, minister of state for information and broadcasting and parliamentary affairs L. Murugan in his response stated about the existing legal framework to protect journalists and details of the number of publications in India.

“India has a vibrant press and media ecosystem, which does not need validation from foreign organisations. India has about 1,54,000 printed publications, more than 900 private satellite TV channels and numerous publishers on digital media including OTT platforms, e-replica of newspapers, digital newspapers, news websites and news channels on social media platforms etc. India has constitutional guarantees like Article 19 (1)(a), which protects freedom of speech and expression,” said Murugan in response to Jha’s question.

The response added that: Freedom of speech and expression is protected under Article 19 of the Constitution, the Press Council of India (PCI) is a statutory autonomous body set up under the Press Council Act, 1978 that is headed by a retired Judge of the Supreme Court and adjudicates on the complaints filed by the members of the press concerning curtailment of press freedom, physical assault/attack on journalists etc.

“Under Regulation 13 of the Press Council (Procedure for Inquiry) Regulations, 1979, the PCI is also mandated to take suo-motu cognisance on the pressing issues concerning freedom of Press and safeguarding of its high standards,” stated the government’s response.

The response added that freedom of press in electronic & digital media is also ensured through a self-regulatory mechanism under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and IT Rules, 2021. A three tier-structure is in place for addressing the complaints, with first level at the broadcaster/publisher level followed by the self-regulatory bodies at second level, it added.

“I had asked this question in the Rajya Sabha recently and the 'response' can be seen here. A distance of miles and miles between what MY Govt says and what it does,” RJD MP Jha later posted on X.

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