The home ministry has asked all states to ensure safety and security of journalists in exercising freedom of speech and expression, in the wake of incidents of attacks on mediapersons. In an advisory to the states, the home ministry also said all cases of attacks on journalists should be investigated promptly to ensure that criminals get “persecuted in a time- bound manner”. “It is the duty of the state to ensure safety and security of the journalists who ensure that the Fourth Estate discharges this key duty,” the advisory said. The ministry said from time to time, incidents of attacks on journalists and mediapersons were reported and all such cases need to be investigated promptly “to ensure that criminals get persecuted in a time-bound manner”. States are already empowered to provide security to individuals based on threat perceptions,” it said.

Source: Hindustan Times October 24, 2017 15:22 UTC