Pension Scheme for Senior Journalists Demanded
IFWJ Plays a Key Role in Securing Journalists’ Rights: K. Bapurao
Special Law for Journalists’ Protection, National Pension Scheme for Senior Journalists Demanded
Karimnagar, October 28:
The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has been fighting for more than seven decades to protect journalists’ rights, ensure job security and safeguard professional freedom, said K. Bapurao, District Secretary of the Telangana Working Journalists Federation (TWJF). The IFWJ Foundation Day celebrations were held grandly at the Federation office on Wednesday. On the occasion, senior journalists P.S. Ravindra, Korimi Venkataswamy, D.S. Prasad, Adepu Lakshminarayana and Arelli Srinivas were felicitated in recognition of their services to journalism.
Speaking at the programme, Bapurao said that Foundation Day celebrations were being organised across the country in response to the call given by the IFWJ national committee. He urged journalists to unite and fight for the resolution of their problems while safeguarding media freedom and continuing their responsibility towards protecting democracy. He called upon the Central Government to take concrete measures for the welfare of journalists and the protection of their rights. Established in New Delhi on October 28, 1950, the IFWJ has been working to unite journalists across the country and address issues concerning the profession.
Bapurao recalled that the organisation had played an important role in struggles for better wages, improved service conditions, regulation of working hours and job security. He also highlighted the contribution of journalists’ organisations in campaigns concerning working journalists’ legislation, wage revisions and representation of journalists on various committees related to the media sector.
Special Law Needed for Journalists’ Protection…
Expressing concern over attacks, murders, threats and alleged false cases against journalists across the country, Bapurao said that a special law was necessary to ensure the safety of journalists discharging their duties and bringing public issues to light. He urged the Central Government to consider the long-pending demand of the IFWJ and introduce appropriate legal safeguards for journalists. He also demanded the preparation of a national register of verified journalists working with newspapers, news agencies and electronic media across the country. Such a register, he said, would help identify eligible journalists and facilitate the implementation of welfare schemes and the formulation of government assistance programmes.
National Pension Scheme for Senior Journalists..
Bapurao urged the Central Government to introduce a nationwide pension scheme for senior journalists aged above 60 to provide them with financial security after years of service in the profession.
He also demanded the restoration of railway travel concessions previously available to journalists. He stressed that the welfare of journalists’ families, access to medical facilities and social security should receive priority.
Journalists’ Leaders Must Work with Commitment: P.S. Ravindra
Senior journalist P.S. Ravindra said that a person leading a journalists’ union should not restrict themselves to holding a position but must devote consistent time and effort to strengthening the organisation.
He said that leadership becomes meaningful only when it is guided by commitment to journalists’ rights, professional security and welfare, supported by a clear objective and the determination to achieve it.
A union leader must respond regularly to the problems faced by journalists, represent their concerns and engage with officials to find solutions, he said. He emphasised the need to take all members along, respect their opinions and stand by journalists facing difficulties. Ravindra further observed that strengthening an organisation required continuous effort, discipline, transparency and a spirit of service. Leaders should give priority to the collective interests of journalists over personal interests and remain committed to the promises they make. He called for making the protection of journalists’ rights and the strengthening of the union the primary objectives of every leader.
TWJF State Committee Member Gade Karunakar Rao, District Vice-President Kommu Ganesh, Lakkam Suresh, Assistant Secretary M.D. Khaja, Huzurabad Constituency President Soudamalla Yohann, and journalists Shankar Reddy, Rajendra Prasad, Naresh, Deekshith, Raju, Ravi and Yousuf were among those who participated in the programme.
