PAR1
IT
THE AAZETTE
(2)
Compliancc with lhc requrrcnrcllls ol the Schemc, €stablished
ofthis Act, shall be the responsibility of
pursuant to sub-section (l ) of Section 9
each media owncr.
(l)
The operation ofthe Journaliss Wclfare Schcmc shall bc govemcd
under Schedule-l ofthis Act.
(4) The Joumalists Wclfare Scheme requires each Media Owncr lo
produce a comprehensive, wrinen safety policy and protocols forjoumalists and
media professionals
PART.IV
INVESTIGATION AND REDRESS
10. Obligatiotr to invesligale, prosccute rnd penrlize threats,
coercioa, acts of riol€nce ard abusc of journsli3ts, rnd medir
pmfessionals.- (l) Where any pcrson acts In a threateninS, coercive, abusive
or violent manner, or conspircs lo act in a threatening, cocrcive, abusive or
violent manner. or aids and abels a threatening, coercivc. abusive or violent acr
with the intent to undemrine the inteSrity and indepcndcncc ofjoumaliss and
media professionals. such acts may be reported to the Commission.
(2) Thc Commission shall lake
appropriate steps to ensure
conducring impanial, prorhpl, thorough,
independ€nt and effective in\,csligations inlo all such rcports
accountab'lity
for such acts by
The Commission may set up an advisory comfiittee to determine
whether the complaint should be taken up or llot.
(3) Following the required investigrtions under section l0(2) of the
Act, the Commission shall cnsurc lhal all perpetrators are pros€cuted and
simultancously cnsurc that thc aggricvcd journalists havc acccss to adequate and
elTective remedies:
Provided that rf a .ioumalist cannor afford access to legal aid the
Commission may refer thc casc of th€ aggrieved ioumalist to the Authority who
shall ensure fi(e of curl llj!.al aid to lh(' r ictim.
ll. Combating impunily.- (l) No lhrcatening, coercivo, abusive or
violent Acl, commilted against journalists or mcdia professionals, shall be
exempt from imlnediate and effectivc invcstigation and prosecution
(2)
The Govemment shall develop and rmplemcnt strategies for
of
combatin8 impunity for those engaging in conduct mentioned in section I I(l)
rhi\ Act. panicularl) r.r ith rcgard to thc follo* ing: