Vijayawada, Mar 29 (TNT) : Indian Journalists Union President K. Srinivas Reddy on Saturday evening called for the revival of the Working Journalists Act, immediate constitution of a new Wage Board, and enactment of fresh laws to safeguard media freedom.
Addressing the 11th IJU plenary at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram here, Srinivas Reddy said journalists have gone nearly two decades without wage revision, leaving them worse off than workers in the unorganised sector.
Reddy alleged that the Centre repealed the Working Journalists Act and said the proposed National Media Council lacks adequate representation for working journalists.
He also noted that the Registrar of Newspapers for India has been replaced by the Press Registrar General of India.
“A strong and independent media is essential for democracy. Unfortunately, it is being neglected and systematically controlled,” he said.
Highlighting labour concerns, he said issues such as working hours and night duty norms are often ignored by managements.
He added that traditional media is facing increasing pressure from digital platforms, with newspapers and TV channels encountering stiff competition.
Referring to the recent developments at United News of India in New Delhi, Reddy termed it a sign of growing intolerance.
The plenary, he said, adopted a resolution to restructure the Press Council of India into a more empowered Media Council of India.
IJU General Secretary Balwinder Singh Jammu said the condition of journalists is deteriorating, citing rising incidents of attacks and killings. “Intolerance towards freedom of expression is increasing,” he said.
Y. Satyanarayana , MLA from Vijayawada West, expressed concern over the lack of regulation of social media, warning that without proper checks it risks becoming “anti-social media”.
He stressed the need for value-based journalism and mechanisms to verify news authenticity.
Editor of Visalandhra, R. V. Ramarao, highlighted the growing concentration of media ownership and stressed the need to strengthen independent journalism.
Krishna Devarayalu also addressed the gathering, while Alapati Suresh Kumar read out a message from Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath.
IJU leaders paid tributes to senior journalists, including Ambati Anjaneyulu, K. Amarnath, Premnath Bhargav and Manikonda Chalapathi Rao.
Earlier, Reddy hoisted the IJU flag. Delegates from various states attended the plenary. Cultural programmes by artistes of the Indian People’s Theatre Association were also held.
TNT KM
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