Media plays a significant role in the upkeep of democratic traditions. It promotes the values associated with the freedom of speech by disseminating information, educating the masses and ensures accountability at the different levels of power. Given the nature of their job, journalists always remain in the line of fire, thus demanding a higher level of protection and a safe and secure environment for rendering their work effectively. Crimes against journalists have been on a rise in the last two decades and they are being subjected to intimidation, violence, harassment and threats of death. Though, the freedom of media is intrinsically granted in Article 19 (1)(a) of the Indian Constitution but no express legislation has been made that exclusively deals with the protection of the legal rights of the journalists. The safety and security of the journalists and the media personnel has never been the part of the serious debate in India, despite the numerous models for the protection of journalists provided by the International Organisations and Instruments. The paper discusses the current scenario of intensification of the challenges and threats faced by the journalists and the media personnel in India. The paper further contains an overview of the growing threats and emerging violence against the journalistic fraternity. An attempt has been made in the paper to shed light on the numerous laws which provide for the protection of the rights of the journalists and the gaps and loopholes which need to be filled for the better and effective protection and working of the journalists and other media personnel.
Key words: Media, Legal Protection, Freedom of Speech and Expression, Violence against journalists.
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