Centre lays down conditions to regulate journalists in accreditation policy

New Delhi: Not only the digital media platform and the media are being brought under the stringent law, the Central government has also put down strict conditions to regulate journalists in the new accreditation policy.

In the new accreditation policy released by the Press Information Bureau and prepared by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting says that the journalists will lose their accreditation once they are found to be acted in a manner is prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India.

"Acts in a manner which is prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement of an offence," the policy read.

Reports suggest that the new policy had been in the process for some time now, leading to delay in renewal of the existing accreditation cards. Under the new policy, journalists working with online platforms will be eligible for accreditation.

This is the first time, the policy included guidelines for accreditation of journalists working for online news platforms. However, news aggregators have been excluded from the accreditation.

Apart from earlier conditions under which a journalist accreditation can be suspended, there are ten other conditions whereby accreditation of journalist will be lost. It includes serious cognisable offence, indulging in non-journalistic activities, if caught on furnishing false information, if the organisation the journalist was part of ceases to exist, or the journalist has left the organisation, among others.

It also prohibits a journalist from mentioning "accredited to the Government of India" on social media, visiting cards or letterheads etc.

Accreditation allows journalists to access government offices in Delhi, and is needed for entry to certain events in which the President or the Prime Minister are present.