New Delhi: From amending laws to guard journalistic freedom to protecting journalists from coercive action by the state, the Congress’s manifesto has made tall promises to help the media “rediscover the freedom” provided under the Constitution.
The principal opposition party has over the past few years been highlighting how significant sections of the media in India “have been robbed of their freedom” or have “surrendered” it. In keeping with this stand, the Congress in its manifesto has promised a host of amendments to existing laws dealing with the media.
The manifesto promises to amend The Press Council Act, 1978 to “strengthen the system of self-regulation, protect journalistic freedom, uphold editorial independence and guard against government interference”.
The party has also vowed to give more teeth to the act by amending it. This, the manifesto says, will help to deal with the “menace of fake news and paid news”.
The Congress has also said that it would defend independent journalism by bringing in laws to protect journalists from coercive action by the state. “This includes restricting the powers of the government for surveillance of journalists, seizure of their devices and exposure of their sources,” the manifesto says.
The Congress has also promised that if it comes to power, it will pass a law to curb monopolies in the media, the cross-ownership of different segments of the media, and the control of the media by business organisations.
“Congress will refer cases of suspected monopolies to the Competition Commission of India,” the manifesto says.
It further says that all media houses, irrespective of size, will be required to disclose their ownership structures (direct and indirect), cross holdings, revenue streams, etc. through their websites.
The party has also said that it would pass a law to preserve the freedom of the internet and to prevent arbitrary and frequent shutdowns of the internet.
The Congress has promised changes to a host of new laws that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government has brought in that have given “unbridled powers of censorship” to the Centre.
In particular, the party has promised to withdraw the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 and the restrictive provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 as well as those of the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023.
Additionally, the party will also amend the Cinematograph Act, 1952, to ensure that the Central Board of Film Certification will grant “graded certificates according to transparent and reasonable criteria”.
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