State proposes law to protect mediapersons

After doctors, the state proposes to make a law to protect mediapersons from attacks and damages to their editorial offices.

After doctors, the state proposes to make a law to protect mediapersons from attacks and damages to their editorial offices.

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Chief Minister Ashok Chavan announced this in the Legislative Assembly and Council on Monday.

The journalists, covering the ongoing winter session of the state legislature, boycotted the morning proceedings and protested against the attack on two Pune journalists. Last weekend, a builder beat up the reporters.

Last month, Shiv Sena workers vandalised offices of television channel IBN-Lokmat. In the past, several media officers have been attacked across the state, especially in Mumbai.

All political parties supported the journalists, who sat on a two-hour dharna on the Vidhan Bhavan premises. Chavan met the protestors and assured them that the state would pass a law to this effect as early possible. The state will discuss the issue on December 21. BJP legislator Girish Bapat moved an adjournment motion on the issue.

“If possible, the state will promulgate an ordinance,” Chavan told mediapersons. The ordinance to protect doctors was issued four months ago and the bill will be cleared in this session.