Journalists demand legislation for protection

In the wake of the recent murder of senior journalist J Dey in Mumbai,members of the National Union of Journalists and the Delhi Journalist Association protested at the Jantar Mantar on Saturday

In the wake of the recent murder of senior journalist J Dey in Mumbai,members of the National Union of Journalists (India) and the Delhi Journalist Association protested at the Jantar Mantar on Saturday demanding immediate enactment of a legislation for protection of journalists.

Protesters said government should ensure adequate security for journalists covering crime,a job that could prove life threatening at times.

Demanding the enactment of a National Security Act for journalists,Ras Bihari,secretary general of the NUJ(I) said,The proposed legislation should ensure attacks on journalists are treated as a non-bailable offence and attract a magisterial level inquiry.

Manoj Verma,president of the DJA,said,This (J Deys murder) is not an isolated instance. In Maharashtra alone,over 180 attacks on working journalists have been reported in the recent past. There are instances where family members of journalists were harassed and even murdered.

Protesting journalists also demanded investigations into J Deys murder be carried out by senior police officials and a report be submitted within two days.

They also demanded setting up of fast track courts for speedy trial.

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