Taking lessons from the murder of investigative journalist J Dey in Mumbai recently, the government on Jun e 16 said it was planning to bring a central law to protect journalists. Law Minister M Veerappa Moily told reporters in New Delhi that he has already directed the Legislative Department to prepare a draft bill to protect journalists and their properties, such as cameras. The main provision of the draft bill is to make attacks on journalists a non-bailable offence.
“Dey’s murder is a matter of grave concern. We need to have a sense of security among journalists,” he said. The Union minister said Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had spoken to him recently on the issue.
He said better equipped forensic labs and policemen with better investigative skills were needed. Chavan had on Wednesday said there was a broad consensus in the state Cabinet on a law to protect journalists, but an enabling provision needed to be included in it to address complaints against the media as well.