The controversy erupted after the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) issued a directive regulating the movement of media personnel inside the State Legislature complex.
The press, often hailed as the sentinel of truth and the fourth estate of democracy, holds the sacrosanct duty of disseminating information and ensuring public accountability. However, there have been recurrent instances where those vested with authority, in an attempt to shield their actions from public scrutiny, have sought to stifle or suppress the voice of the media.
The award-winning former CNN journalist faces up to six years behind bars in the culmination of a case that has drawn international concern.
Russia first passed legislation allowing media organisations to be slapped with the label in 2017, after Kremlin-funded RT television was declared a foreign agent in the United States.
The Congress General Secretary has alleged that the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is constantly attacking journalists who seek answers on public issues.
The Press Council of India's move to intervene in the case in Supreme Court over restrictions on communication placed in Jammu and Kashmir has prompted strong objections from members of various media watchdog organisations
The PCI in support of its application also cited norms of journalistic conduct Clause 23, which prescribes self-regulation in reporting by journalists on sensitive issues.
New I&B minister said, leaders like J.P. Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani fought hard to restore freedom of press.
Justice Sikri said media had undergone a complete transformation in the digital age and now “we are in the era of paid and fake news”
Reporters without Borders has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take "urgent action". The 'Incident Report' released by it about the 'deterioration of press freedom in India' is the first the organisation has prepared for any country.
