Q1.

Write Note on the following (300 words each):

i. Copyright Act (1957)

The Copyright Act of 1957 is a significant legisla9on that governs copyright protec9on in
India. It provides creators and authors with the legal framework to protect their original
works, such as literary, ar9s9c, musical, and drama9c crea9ons. The act outlines the rights of
copyright owners, including reproduc9on, distribu9on, public performance, and adapta9on
of their works. It also establishes the dura9on of copyright protec9on and the procedures
for copyright registra9on and infringement claims. The Copyright Act of 1957 plays a crucial
role in fostering crea9vity, encouraging innova9on, and safeguarding the rights of creators in
India.

ii. Young Persons Harmful Publications Act (1956)

The Young Persons Harmful Publications Act of 1956 is a notable piece of legislation aimed at
protecting young individuals from exposure to harmful content. This act focuses on regulating
the distribution and availability of publications that may be detrimental to the mental,
emotional, or moral well-being of young people. It empowers authorities to restrict or prohibit
the sale, circulation, or display of such publications to individuals under a certain age. The
Young Persons Harmful Publications Act of 1956 recognizes the importance of safeguarding
young minds and ensuring that they are not exposed to content that could potentially have a
negative impact on their development. It serves as a tool for promoting the welfare and
protection of young individuals in society.

iii. Defamation

Defamation is the act of making false statements about someone that harm their reputation. It
can occur through spoken (slander) or written (libel) communication. Defamation laws aim to
strike a balance between freedom of speech and protecting individuals' reputations. To establish
a defamation claim, elements such as false statements communicated to a third party, presented
as factual claims, and causing harm must typically be proven. Defamation can have significant
consequences, leading to damage to personal and professional life. Remedies may include legal
action seeking damages, retractions, or injunctions. Laws regarding defamation vary across
jurisdictions.

iv. TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India)

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is an independent regulatory body

responsible for overseeing and regula9ng the telecommunica9ons industry in India.
Established in 1997, TRAI's role is to ensure fair compe99on, protect consumer interests,
and promote the growth of the telecom sector. It formulates policies, regula9ons, and
guidelines related to tariffs, quality of service, interconnec9on, spectrum management, and
consumer protec9on. TRAI plays a vital role in maintaining a transparent and compe99ve
telecom environment, fostering innova9on, and ensuring affordable and accessible telecom
services for the ci9zens of India.
V. BCCC (Broadcasting Content Complaints Council)

The Broadcas9ng Content Complaints Council (BCCC) is a self-regulatory body in India that
oversees and addresses complaints related to the content aired on television channels. It
was established in 2011 by the Indian Broadcas9ng Founda9on (IBF) to provide a mechanism
for viewers to voice their grievances regarding objec9onable or inappropriate content. The
BCCC operates under a Code of Ethics and Broadcas9ng Standards and works towards
upholding responsible broadcas9ng prac9ces. It inves9gates complaints received from
viewers, hears both par9es, and takes appropriate ac9on, including issuing warnings or
recommending penal9es. The BCCC plays a significant role in maintaining content standards
and addressing concerns related to television programming in India.

Q2. Throw light on the Press & Registration of Books Act 1867 and its amendment
made in 1955.

The Press and Registra9on of Books Act, 1867 is an Indian legisla9on that governs the
registra9on of newspapers. It requires publishers to register their newspapers, providing key
informa9on. In 1955, an amendment expanded the Act to include book registra9on as well.
This amendment mandated book registra9on and aimed to promote transparency,
accountability, and the preserva9on of published materials. The Act and its amendment help
in monitoring content, protec9ng intellectual property rights, ensuring compliance, and
facilita9ng accessibility to published materials. They play a crucial role in regula9ng the
publishing industry and maintaining legal standards in India.

Q3. What are the characteris.cs of the Right to Informa.on Act (2005)? Discuss with three
Case Studies.

The Right to Informa9on Act (2005) in India has several key characteris9cs that promote
transparency, accountability, and ci9zen empowerment:

1. Access to Informa9on: The Act grants ci9zens the right to access informa9on held by
public authori9es.

2. Timely Response: The Act sets a 9me frame within which public authori9es must provide
the requested informa9on. In most cases, the informa9on should be provided within 30 days
of the applica9on.

3. Appellate Mechanism: The Act includes an appellate mechanism that allows ci9zens to
appeal if their informa9on request is denied or not adequately addressed.

Now, let's discuss three case studies that demonstrate the impact of the Right to Informa9on
Act:
1. The Satyendra Dubey Case: Satyendra Dubey was a whistleblower who exposed
corrup9on in the construc9on of highways. Despite his efforts, he was murdered. However,
the Right to Informa9on Act played a significant role in bringing the truth to light. His family
used the Act to obtain crucial informa9on related to the case, which helped in seeking
jus9ce and holding the responsible par9es accountable.

2. The NREGA Case: The Na9onal Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) is a flagship
program aimed at providing employment opportuni9es to rural households in India. The
Right to Informa9on Act has been instrumental in ensuring transparency and preven9ng
corrup9on in the implementa9on of NREGA. Ci9zens have used the Act to access
informa9on related to fund alloca9on, work progress, and wages, enabling them to monitor
and demand accountability.

The Act serves as a powerful tool in promo9ng transparency, good governance, and ci9zen
par9cipa9on in India's democra9c framework.

Q4. Explain the Legal Rights and Responsibili.es of Journalists in detail.

Legal Rights of Journalists:

1. Freedom of Expression: Journalists have the right to freely express their opinions and
disseminate informa9on without censorship or interference.

2. Freedom of the Press: Journalists have the right to gather and publish news without
undue restric9ons, ensuring the public's right to be informed.

3. Protec9on of Sources: Journalists have the right to maintain the confiden9ality of their
sources, enabling them to uncover important informa9on without fear of reprisal.

4. Access to Informa9on: Journalists have the right to access public informa9on to report
accurately and hold public officials accountable.

Legal Responsibili9es of Journalists:

1. Accuracy and Truthfulness: Journalists have a responsibility to report informa9on

accurately, verifying facts and avoiding false or misleading statements.

2. Fairness and Objec9vity: Journalists should present a balanced perspec9ve, providing fair
coverage and represen9ng diverse viewpoints.

3. Privacy and Sensi9vity: Journalists should respect individuals' privacy rights and exercise
sensi9vity when repor9ng on personal maders or sensi9ve issues.

4. Avoiding Defama9on: Journalists have a responsibility to avoid making false statements

that harm someone's reputa9on, ensuring their repor9ng is based on reliable sources.
5. Compliance with Laws: Journalists must adhere to applicable laws and regula9ons,
including those concerning defama9on, copyright, and na9onal security.

It's important for journalists to balance their rights with their responsibili9es, upholding
ethical standards, and promo9ng responsible journalism for the benefit of society.

Q5. How the Editor’s Guild of India was formed? Throw light on the Code of Ethics set by
the Guild.

The Editor's Guild of India was formed in 1978 as a voluntary organiza9on comprising editors
of newspapers, magazines, and news agencies in India. It was established to uphold and
protect the freedom of the press, promote journalis9c standards, and safeguard the rights
and interests of journalists.

The Code of Ethics set by the Editor's Guild of India serves as a guiding framework for
journalists and member organiza9ons. Some key principles of the Code of Ethics include:

1. Freedom of Expression: The Code emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression,

recognizing it as a fundamental right and encouraging journalists to exercise it responsibly.

2. Accuracy and Verifica9on: Journalists are expected to report accurately, verify facts, and
strive for fairness in their coverage. The Code discourages the dissemina9on of unverified
informa9on and sensa9onalism.

3. Independence and Impar9ality: Journalists are encouraged to maintain their

independence from external influences, including poli9cal or commercial pressures. They
should provide fair and unbiased coverage, avoiding conflicts of interest.

4. Privacy and Sensi9vity: The Code stresses the need to respect individuals' privacy,
especially in cases involving personal or sensi9ve maders. Journalists are expected to
exercise cau9on and sensi9vity while repor9ng on such issues.

5. Accountability and Correc9ons: The Code promotes accountability in journalism,

encouraging journalists to take responsibility for their work. If errors or inaccuracies occur,
journalists should promptly correct them and issue apologies if necessary.

6. Respect for Diversity and Pluralism: The Code emphasizes the importance of respec9ng
diverse viewpoints, religions, cultures, and ideologies. Journalists are urged to avoid
discriminatory or prejudiced coverage.

7. Adherence to Laws and Ethical Standards: The Code highlights the significance of
complying with legal requirements and ethical standards. It encourages journalists to be
aware of media laws and regula9ons while maintaining the highest professional integrity.
The Editor's Guild of India, through its Code of Ethics, aims to foster responsible journalism,
maintain high ethical standards, and safeguard the freedom and independence of the press
in India.

Q6. Why Official Secrets Act of 1923 is s.ll valid in India? Elaborate its importance and
validity in current .me.

The Official Secrets Act of 1923 is a legisla9on that is s9ll valid in India. It was enacted during
the Bri9sh colonial rule and con9nues to be in force because it serves as a mechanism to
safeguard sensi9ve informa9on and maintain na9onal security. The Act holds relevance in
the current 9mes due to the following reasons:

1. Na9onal Security: The Official Secrets Act is essen9al for protec9ng sensi9ve government
informa9on related to defense, diplomacy, intelligence, and other crucial areas.

2. State Secrets: Governments need to safeguard certain informa9on to maintain strategic

advantage, protect ongoing opera9ons, and prevent poten9al threats to the country.

3. Foreign Rela9ons: The Act plays a significant role in safeguarding confiden9al informa9on
related to foreign rela9ons and diploma9c nego9a9ons.

4. Public Interest Considera9ons: While the Act protects state secrets, it is also important to
strike a balance with the public's right to informa9on and transparency.

5. Digital Age Challenges: In the current era of advanced technology and digital
communica9on, the Act con9nues to be relevant in addressing new challenges such as
unauthorized leaks of classified informa9on, cyber espionage, and cybercrime. It helps deter
and prosecute individuals involved in such ac9vi9es.

It is worth no9ng that while the Official Secrets Act is important for safeguarding na9onal
security, its applica9on should also be balanced with considera9ons of transparency,
accountability, and protec9ng individuals' rights. Efforts have been made to review and
update the Act to ensure it aligns with the evolving needs of the society while upholding
democra9c values and principles.

Q7. What News Broadcasters Associa.on (NBA) is formed for and how it func.ons?

The News Broadcasters Associa9on (NBA) is formed to represent the collec9ve interests of
private television news and current affairs broadcasters in India. It func9ons as a self-
regulatory body for the industry and works towards maintaining ethical standards, resolving
disputes, and advoca9ng for its member channels. The NBA sets and enforces a code of
ethics, engages with regulatory authori9es, promotes industry collabora9on, and provides a
plagorm for sharing best prac9ces and addressing common concerns among its members. It
operates through a governing structure comprising a board of directors and commidees
responsible for different areas of focus.