New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) Terming the attacks on journalists as an "attack on the freedom of expression", journalists' bodies have urged the central and the state governments to enact a law to protect them and ensure "adequate compensation" in case of their death or any untoward incident while on duty.

Journalists, belonging to various bodies, gathered at the Press Club of India here on Monday and took a "strong exception" to the killings of Rajdeo Ranjan in Bihar and Akhilesh Pratap Singh in Jharkhand.

They said different methods must be explored, including approaching the Supreme Court, to force the government to enact a new law that should also bring journalists working on contract under the ambit of the Working Journalists Act, besides ensuring monetary assistance in case of any mishap, a statement issued on Tuesday said.

"The demand was also endorsed by a number of journalists' bodies present (at the meeting)," it said.

It was felt that there should be a time-bound programme, and the PCI and the Indian Women's Press Corp (IWPC), should immediately draft a resolution and reach out to parliamentarians and the civil society to sensitise people against repeated attacks on mediapersons.

The meeting was attended by a number of media personalities representing various news organisations.