Raipur. On the 13th day of the budget session of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel presented the Chhattisgarh Media Personnel Security Bill 2023. The bill was passed unanimously amid objections from the opposition. Congratulating the members, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that today’s day will be written in golden letters.
Presenting the Chhattisgarh Media Personnel Security Bill 2023, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel told that what is the arrangement of the law, for whom it will be applicable, which media personnel will be eligible under this law. He said that this is a bill with a wide impact. The demand for this law came several times. The committee was formed in 2019 itself. This law was prepared after consulting everyone. Today, this day will be written in golden letters. Before this, the opposition expressed objection to the presentation of the bill in the House and demanded that it be sent to the Select Committee. Asandi rejected the demand of the opposition. Along with this, the members of the opposition distanced themselves from the discussion. Know the special features of the bill –
Which journalists will get security
In this draft prepared in the name of ‘Chhattisgarh Media Personnel Security Act’, the qualification etc. of journalists entitled to get security is also mentioned. according to this-
A person who has at least 6 articles published in the media in the last 3 months.
A person who has received at least 3 payments for news compilation from any media organization in the last 6 months.
A person whose photographs have been published at least 3 times in the last 3 months.
Columnists or freelance journalists whose works have been published/broadcasted 6 times during the last 6 months.
Such a person whose views/views have been reported in mass communication at least 6 times during the last three months.
A person who has an identity card or letter of working in a media institution.
Formation of authority for registration of media persons
The government will also set up an authority for the registration of journalists. Within 30 days of the coming into effect of the prepared law, the government will appoint an authority for the registration of journalists.
– The secretary of the Authority will be made to that officer of Public Relations Department, who is not below the rank of Additional Director. It will also have two media persons, whose seniority is at least 10 years. One of these women media persons will also be there, who are living and working in Chhattisgarh.
The tenure of the media persons joining the authority will be of two years. No media person can be a part of the authority for more than two consecutive terms.
Committee constituted for the protection of journalists
Within 30 days of the implementation of the law prepared by the committee, the Chhattisgarh government will constitute a committee for the protection of journalists. This committee will look into complaints related to harassment, intimidation or violence or wrongful prosecution of journalists and arrest of journalists.
Who will be the member of the committee
– Any police officer, who is not below the rank of Additional Director General of Police. Department Head of Public Relations Department and three journalists, who have at least 12 years of experience. In which at least one woman member will be there. The tenure of the journalists appointed in this committee will be of two years only and no journalist can be a part of this committee for more than two terms.
Not only this, the government will also set up a website for proper security arrangements for journalists, in which every information or complaint related to journalists and the action taken in that regard will be recorded. which shall be subject to the orders of this Act. But if the security of that person is affected while uploading the information, then the government will take all such appropriate measures, in which measures can be taken to keep the privacy of the person concerned and hide his identity.
