NEW DELHI: The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has taken a significant step by reaching out to opposition leaders, expressing grave concerns over the recent spate of legislative measures aimed at regulating and controlling media across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
In a detailed letter dated July 18, 2024, addressed to Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and leaders of other opposition parties, the EGI meticulously outlined several laws and bills introduced since 2021 that it believes pose a substantial threat to press freedom in India.
The letter, begins by emphasizing the organization’s long-standing commitment to upholding press freedom since its inception in 1978. It highlighted that fundamental press freedoms have come under increasing threat due to various legislative steps taken by the government in recent years.
One of the primary concerns raised by the EGI is the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. The guild argues that this law, while ostensibly aimed at protecting individual privacy, lacks specific exemptions for journalistic activities. This omission, they contend, could potentially hamper basic press functions such as research, investigation, and publishing.
The mandatory consent requirements for data processing, they fear, could obstruct journalistic inquiries, especially in scenarios involving investigative journalism where obtaining consent might be impractical or counterproductive.
Another piece of legislation that has drawn the EGI’s ire is the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, 2023. This proposed law, according to the guild, creates an overbearing regulatory structure that could lead to undue government control over content. The EGI expressed particular concern about the creation of content evaluation committees and a Broadcast Advisory Council, which they believe could be instrumentalized for censorship.
The Press & Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, is another point of contention. The EGI warned that this law expands regulatory powers and introduces restrictions on publishing that could be misused against critics of the government. The EGI pointed out provisions that allow for cancellation of registration for those convicted of “unlawful activity,” arguing that such broad terms could be used to target journalists unjustly.
The EGI described are the IT Rules 2021 and their subsequent amendments as alarming. The guild expressed particular concern over the creation of a “fact-checking unit” with sweeping powers to determine what content is false or misleading regarding government policies. This, they argue, could lead to arbitrary censorship and suppress legitimate criticism of government actions.
The EGI requests that future legislative measures be carefully crafted to safeguard media independence and the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
This move by the EGI comes at a time of growing unease within India’s media community about what many perceive as increasing government attempts to control news content across platforms.
As the fourth estate grapples with these challenges, the response of opposition parties to the EGI’s appeal could potentially shape the future landscape of media regulations in India.
The EGI letter emphasizes that these measures were often enacted without adequate stakeholder consultation or parliamentary scrutiny. It warns of vague provisions that could be misused to restrict legitimate journalistic activities and grant sweeping powers to government authorities.
“These provisions give sweeping powers to a wide array of government authorities and agencies to take actions that can have potential chilling effect on journalism and press freedom due to increased government control and punitive measures,” the letter states.
The guild is calling for renewed parliamentary debate and stakeholder consultations on these critical issues affecting press freedom. It has requested opposition leaders to safeguard media independence in any future legislative measures.
This move by the EGI comes amid growing concerns in India’s media community about increasing government attempts to control news content across platforms. The guild, representing senior editors nationwide, has been a vocal advocate for press freedom since its inception in 1978.
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