Protest on October 2 to Address Journalists’ Issues.
‘Demands Day’ at Gandhi Statue in Peddapalli; Memoranda to be Submitted to Collector and MLAs.
PEDDAPALLI, October 1 (TTN24 NEWS): Telangana Bureau Chief Nallapu Thirupathi.
As part of the nationwide ‘Demands Day’ to be observed on October 2, following the call given by the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) to seek solutions to the problems faced by journalists, the Telangana Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ–IJU) will organise a protest in Peddapalli district headquarters. TUWJ–IJU District President Mallavarjula Vamsi Vidyanand and District General Secretary Narayanadasu Ashok said the protest would be held at the Gandhi Statue in Peddapalli at 10:30 a.m. on October 2.
Following the protest, memoranda highlighting the problems and demands of journalists will be submitted to the District Collector and MLAs. They said the nationwide protest was being organised in accordance with the decision taken at the recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the IJU held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Call for a New Media Commission
The TUWJ–IJU leaders demanded the immediate establishment of a new Media Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of the media sector in view of the rapid expansion of broadcast television, online portals and social media platforms. They said the commission should examine issues including media ownership concentration, regulatory laws, digital monetisation and ethical practices in modern journalism.
Demand for a Special Central Law for Journalists
The leaders demanded a special Central law to protect journalists from increasing professional risks, including physical attacks, legal harassment and digital intimidation. They said journalists should be provided with adequate legal protection so that they can discharge their democratic responsibilities without fear or retaliation.
Restore Special Legal Protections
They stated that the replacement of the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955, and the Working Journalists (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Act, 1958, with the new labour codes had weakened job security, statutory working conditions and grievance redressal mechanisms for journalists.
They demanded that the special legal protections previously available to working journalists be restored.
Demand for a New Wage Board
The leaders pointed out that nearly two decades had passed since the Majithia Wage Board was constituted in 2007. While wages in several other sectors have been revised periodically in accordance with inflation and the rising cost of living, journalists and non-journalist media employees continue to face stagnant incomes, they said.
They demanded the immediate constitution of a new Wage Board applicable to employees working across print, electronic and digital media platforms.
Housing and House Sites for Eligible Journalists
The TUWJ–IJU leaders also demanded that the Telangana State Government fulfil its election promise by providing houses and house sites to all eligible journalists. They urged the government to implement its commitments towards the welfare and well-being of journalists.
Appeal for Maximum Participation
TUWJ–IJU District President Mallavarjula Vamsi Vidyanand and District General Secretary Narayanadasu Ashok appealed to national, state, district and mandal-level union leaders, representatives and members to participate in large numbers in the protest scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on October 2 at the Gandhi Statue in Peddapalli and make the programme a success.
