Fact Check: Supreme Court did not deliver any verdict on punishment for abusing scribes
A message in Telugu language is in circulation on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook. It states that the Supreme Court declared if someone insults or scolds journalists, they are liable to face Rs 50,000 as fine or 5 years imprisonment.
A message in Telugu language is in circulation on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook. It states that the Supreme Court declared if someone insults or scolds journalists, they are liable to face Rs 50,000 as fine or 5 years imprisonment.
The claim in Telugu goes as
“*జర్నలిస్టులను తిట్టినా, బెది
The message is in the format of a news piece published in newspapers or on news websites.
When translated, the message claims
“*Rs 50,000 fine for insulting or threatening journalists* *Five years of rigorous imprisonment, Supreme Court*
*New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ruled that people who threaten, insult, or beat working journalists are eligible for a fine of Rs 50,000 or five years of rigorous imprisonment. This was clarified by the Supreme Court during the hearing of a case on Thursday. Leaders of several journalist associations and senior journalists welcomed the verdict as it would give them an opportunity to inform the public about facts and truth without any fear. They also expressed satisfaction that this ruling will give some protection to them from political leaders."
Fact Check:
The claim that the Supreme Court ordered punishment for abusing journalists is false. The apex court did not deliver any such orders. When we searched the internet using the keywords, we found no such information published anywhere in the leading newspapers. Even the website of the Supreme Court did not publish any such verdict.
Article 19 (1)(a) of the Indian Constitution gives freedom of speech and expression to every citizen of the country. There are certain limitations to this article.
When we researched further, we found that Maharashtra is the first state to pass a Media Protection Bill. The bill is called “The Maharashtra Media Persons and Media Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Bill 2017.
According to the Economic Times, the Bill was passed by the Devendra Fadnavis government in 2017 and was pending for two years with the Centre. This bill recommends punishment of up to three years or a fine up to Rs 50,000 or both for attacking mediapersons on duty.
President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the bill in 2019.
Chhattisgarh government also passed the law to protect journalists in March 2023. The bill is called “Chhattisgarh Mediapersons Protection Bill 2023’, which aims to provide protection to mediapersons and prevent violence against them.
Therefore, the claim is false. The Supreme Court did not pass any judgment on punishment for abusing or threatening journalists on duty. Maharashtra and Chattisgarh governments have passed such bills in their respective states.