NEW DELHI: Even as the political slugfest in Maharashtra continues, President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the Maharashtra Media Persons and Media Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Bill, 2017, one of the first laws in the country which ensures protection for journalists.The Bill, passed by the Devendra Fadnavis government, has been pending for two years with the Centre and recommends punishment up to three years or a fine of up to Rs 50,000 or both in case of attack on mediapersons on duty. Acts of violence against mediapersons will be treated as cognizable, non-bailable and cases under this law will be investigated by an officer not below the rank of DySP/ACP.The law cautions on the filing of false complaints by a mediaperson for which he/she can be tried and given a similar punishment. Chhattisgarh and Bihar, where several mediapersons have come under attack in the past, are also mulling a similar legislation for the safety of journalists. As per the Maharashtra legislation, the offender shall be liable to pay compensation for damage or loss caused to the property of the mediaperson or the media house as determined by court. The assailant would be liable to reimburse the medical expenditure incurred by the mediapersons in the attack.According to the World Press Freedom Index 2019, India dropped two places on a global press freedom index to be ranked 140th out of 180 countries in the annual ‘ Reporters Without Borders ’. “Violence against journalists including police violence, attacks by Maoist fighters and reprisals by criminal groups or corrupt politicians is one of the most striking characteristics of the current state of press freedom in India. At least six Indian journalists were killed in connection with their work in 2018. A number of doubts surround a seventh case,” the index had noted. After the murder of journalist activist Gauri Lankesh in 2017, the union home ministry had asked all states to ensure the safety of journalists in exercising freedom of speech and expression.