The Government implements the Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) to provide one-time ex-gratia relief on urgent basis to journalists/media personnel or to their families in the event of extreme hardship arising out of death, permanent disability, serious ailments and accident-related hospitalization. Journalists accredited by Press Information Bureau and State/UT Governments as well as non-accredited journalists are covered under this scheme.

Under the JWS scheme, Government has provided financial assistance of Rupees 19.41 Croreto 456 Journalists/Media Personnel or their families from 2014-15 to 2025-26.
Journalists accredited with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) are also 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 empaneled private hospitals at CGHS rates.
Press Information Bureau issues accreditation for Journalists in the National Capital Region.The number of Journalists accredited with Press Information Bureau as on date is 1786.

The information was provided by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, in a written reply to a Question asked by Shri Damodar Agrawal.

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Mahesh Kumar/ Aparajita Priyadarshini