MUMBAI: The Maharashtra state legislature on Friday approved a bill to protect working journalists.
The bill that aims to make attacks on journalists a non-bailable offence also includes provision for the imprisonment of up to three years for the offence or fine up to Rs 50,000 or both punishments in case of an attack on a media person on duty.
Under the provision of the law, any act of violence against media person will be cognisable, non-bailable and triable by a first class magistrate.
Also, the cases under this law will be investigated by an officer, not below the rank of deputy superintendent of police or assistant commissioner of police.
The law includes a provision to keep a tab on false complaints. If a false complaint is filed by a media person, the complainant may also be tried and given the same punishment that is 3 years in jail or Rs 50,000 fine or both.
The final draft of the bill took into consideration the suggestions of journalists and from across the State.