On Indian Newspaper Day Journalists’ Bodies Demand Independent Media Commission

On Indian Newspaper Day on January 29, several journalist organisations from different parts of the country came together to protest against the proposed Labour Codes, arguing that these codes would negatively impact working conditions and rights of journalists. The journalist bodies asserted that the historical context of Indian journalism from its beginnings to the present, were marked by such unfair labour practices and attacks on press freedom.

In a joint statement, the National Alliance of Journalists, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Club of India, Kerala Union of Working Journalists, Press Association, Indian Women’s press Corps, Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists’ Federation and the Brihanmumbai Union of Journalists criticised the deterioration of working conditions, including excessive working hours and inadequate compensation.

The organisations demanded restoring of the Working Journalists’ Act, extending its coverage to digital media, and establishing an independent Media Commission to address journalists’ welfare and harassment. The organisations also emphasised the crucial social role played by journalism and the need for stronger protections for journalists’ rights.

“The day is an occasion to reflect on the collective achievements of the Indian press, especially that of the working journalists and press workers over the years. Despite epochal developments like the constitution of the first National Press Commission that led to the enactment of the Working Journalists’ Act, 1955 and the Press Council, in recent years, the press as a whole has seen several setbacks in the form of arbitrary lay-offs, unfair labour practices and deteriorating working conditions. Bodies like the Press Council have been rendered redundant over the years. The press, just as it was censored during the British Raj under one pretext or the other, faces similar pressures. Additionally, its corporatization poses a severe threat to the rights of journalists and to the nature of journalism itself,” said the joint statement.

“Journalists are expected to be on call at all hours of the day and work simultaneously on the print, digital and electronic space – all within the same pay package. Even though the Act excludes editors, reporters, photo journalists and camera persons from ‘shift’ duties, some prominent media groups have introduced the biometric pattern of attendance, making physical presence of correspondents mandatory in office for a specified number of hours”, the statement added.