The Government of India is committed to the welfare of journalists. Journalists accredited with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) are covered under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) facilities across the country for themselves and their family members.

This includes their treatment at Government/CGHS empanelled private hospitals at CGHS rates.

Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS)

The Government implements the Journalists Welfare Scheme (JWS) to provide one-time ex gratia relief to journalists/media personnel or their families in cases of extreme hardship due to the death of a journalist.

Relief is also extended to journalists who suffer from permanent disability or are diagnosed with major listed ailments. Financial support is further provided to journalists who face serious injuries due to accidents requiring hospitalization.

Journalists accredited by PIB and State/UT Governments as well as non-accredited journalists are covered under this scheme.

Under the JWS scheme, Government has provided financial assistance to 402 Journalists/Media Personnel or their families from 2014-15 to 2024-25.

As regards the representation received from "Manyata Praapt Patrakar Kalyan Samiti Delhi”, newspapers in India are registered under the Press and Periodicals Registration Act, 2023 and its 2024 Rules, with the Press Seva Portal providing an easy, accessible online system for registration.

The Central Bureau of Communications (CBC) issues print media advertisements transparently and has recently increased advertising rates by up to 26%.

Nominations to committees of the CBC, PIB, and Press Council of India are made as per the corresponding policy guidelines.

This Information was submitted by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan in the Lok Sabha today in response of questions asked by Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant and Shri Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh.

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Mahesh Kumar