July 20th 2024.
The Editors Guild of India has reached out to Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, seeking his support in addressing important issues concerning press freedom and the right to information in Parliament. The Guild expressed its concerns about the government's recent legislative actions aimed at regulating and controlling various forms of media, including print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
In a letter shared on social media, the Guild also revealed that they have reached out to other opposition party leaders to bring attention to this matter. Specifically, they highlighted their concerns about the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, Broadcast Services Regulation Bill, Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, and the IT Rules 2021, along with subsequent amendments to these laws in 2023.
The Guild firmly believes that a free and independent press is crucial for the proper functioning of a democratic society. As such, they have urged for a renewed debate and consultations on these legislative measures to ensure that the fundamental principles of press freedom are safeguarded.
One of the main issues raised by the Guild is the lack of stakeholder consultation and parliamentary scrutiny in the drafting and passing of these laws. They have also pointed out that these laws contain vague and overbroad provisions that could potentially be misused to restrict legitimate journalistic activities. Furthermore, these laws grant extensive powers to various government authorities and agencies, which could have a chilling effect on journalism and press freedom.
The Guild also expressed its concerns about the inadequate safeguards for press independence and freedom of expression. They have highlighted the need for these laws to be revisited and revised to ensure that they do not infringe upon these fundamental principles.
In conclusion, the Editors Guild of India has reached out to Rahul Gandhi and other opposition party leaders to address their concerns about the government's actions towards regulating and controlling the media. They hope that their efforts will lead to a more open and transparent dialogue on these important issues.
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