IFWJ Demands Retention of Expanded Working Journalist Act

New Delhi, 29 October. Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) celebrated its 73rd foundation day yesterday i.e., 28th October 2022 all over the country. In a function held at the Press Club of India, the IFWJ President B V Mallikarjunaih, who specially came from Bengaluru to attend the meeting, underlined the need for retention of the exclusive Working Journalist Act, which must have the journalists of genres in its ambit. He said that the Press Council should be scrapped to be replaced by an effective Media Council.

The meeting was attended by a large number of journalists from different media organisations.

DUWJ President Alkshendra Singh Negi expressed concern over the apathetic attitude of government(s) over the unabated exploitation of workers and violation of labour laws by the owners of media houses. Negi said that more than 30,000 journalists all over the country have been thrown out of their jobs after they asked for the implementation of the Majithia Wage Board recommendations but the sad part of it was that neither the government (s) nor judiciary or even trade unions was bothered about the harrowing plights of journalists.

Journalist Vinod Takiawala emphasised that a uniform Pension scheme should be introduced to take care of old and retired journalists. Vivek Tyagi of Dainik Jagran said that on the occasion of the Foundation Day of the IFWJ we should reiterate our vow to fight for the honour and the dignity of the profession which could not be allowed to be swallowed by the Labour Codes. Other participants expressed their views on such laws which must mitigate the problems and difficulties of the journalists. It was resolved that the IFWJ would write letters to different departments and ministries highlighting the problems of the journalists and demanding their solutions. The struggles waged by the IFWJ for the economic and professional betterment of the journalists were recalled by the speakers in the meeting.

Vijay Verma said that for the sake of transparency in government departments, journalists should have to be at the forefront. Gita Rawat of the Rashtriya Sahara was of the view that unless the workers were aware of their rights, it would be too much to expect that others would provide them. Rachna wanted the journalists to devote some of their energy and time to some social work also.

Parmanand Pandey

Secretary General (IFWJ)