Munna Ansari Editor MRJ NEWS MAHARAJGANJ
Dr. Vijay Kumar Nilawar appointed as National Patron.
Hingoli, Maharashtra. An important meeting of the Indian Journalist Association, Hingoli, Maharashtra, was held at the Government Rest House, Hingoli. The meeting discussed in detail the safety, respect, rights of journalists, strengthening the organization, and addressing various social and economic problems faced by journalists. The chief guest was Indian Journalist Association National President Seraj Ahmad Quraishi, and the special guest was senior journalist Dr. Vijay Kumar Nilawar. The meeting was chaired by Anil Khadse and conducted by District President Devdas Kharat.
Officials and journalists present at the meeting stated that journalists, as the fourth pillar of democracy, serve as a vital link between society and government. Despite this, journalists face numerous difficulties, pressures, threats, harassment, and insecurity while performing their duties. Therefore, an effective and practical system for the rights and safety of journalists is essential.
The most important issue at the meeting was the Journalist Protection Act. Speakers stated that even after the passage of the Journalist Protection Act, in many cases, complaints and harassment of journalists are not filed under the relevant sections of the Act. This undermines the purpose of the Act and leaves victimized journalists facing difficulties in obtaining justice.
Speakers stated that merely enacting a law is not enough; instead, it is essential for the police administration and relevant officials to be aware of the provisions of the Act and implement them effectively. Journalists should also be informed of their rights and relevant sections of the Journalist Protection Act so that they can pursue appropriate legal recourse in the event of harassment.
The meeting demanded that regular awareness programs be organized to disseminate information about the provisions of the Journalist Protection Act to journalists, police officers, and administrative officials, and to ensure action is taken in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
National President Seraj Ahmad Quraishi, in his address, stated that a lasting solution to journalists’ problems is possible only through strong organizations. He emphasized that journalists must fight for their rights and dignity not individually but in an organized manner.
He stated that for the organization to strengthen, expansion to every district, tehsil, and block level, regular meetings, better coordination among officials, and continuous monitoring of journalists’ problems are essential. He urged officials to ensure that the organization is not limited to merely obtaining positions, but rather to stand with every journalist in their joys and sorrows.
He stated that the Indian Journalist Association will continue to fight for journalists’ interests, safety, respect, and rights. Any incident of harassment of journalists will be taken seriously, and the relevant authorities will be called upon, and if necessary, the fight will be carried out in a democratic and constitutional manner. He declared senior Doordarshan journalist Dr. Vijay Kumar Nilawar as its National Patron.
Speakers at the meeting stated that incidents of threats, assault, false cases, pressure, harassment for publishing news, and other forms of harassment against journalists are a matter of concern for the democratic system.
If journalists are unable to work without fear, the real problems of society will remain unaddressed. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the government and administration to provide a safe environment for journalists.
The issue of a housing scheme for journalists was also prominently raised at the meeting. Speakers stated that many journalists who have served in the field of journalism for years still lack their own housing.
The government should implement a simple and transparent housing scheme for eligible journalists. Arrangements should be made to provide housing to needy journalists on a priority basis, so that journalists can discharge their responsibilities with financial and social security.
The meeting also demanded improved medical facilities for journalists and their families. Speakers stated that journalists work day and night for society, but illness or emergencies can pose a financial crisis.
The government should implement an effective health and medical scheme for journalists, ensuring proper medical care for journalists and their dependent family members.
The meeting also demanded a simplified arms license process for journalists who face serious security threats due to their journalism. Speakers stated that this demand was not intended to create an atmosphere of fear, but rather to ensure the personal safety of journalists facing real and proven security threats.
In such cases, the administration should objectively assess the threat and provide necessary security as per regulations, and ensure prompt decisions on arms license applications for eligible journalists.
The meeting demanded that the Journalist Pension Scheme be simplified and transparent. Speakers stated that senior and needy journalists who have served in the field of journalism for a long time should receive social security, such as pension, for a dignified life.
The eligibility and application process for the pension scheme should be simplified, and unnecessary paperwork should be reduced, so that truly eligible journalists can benefit.
The meeting also demanded a simplified and transparent process for becoming an accredited journalist. Speakers stated that journalists who have been active in journalism for a long time and meet the prescribed criteria should not face unnecessary difficulties in obtaining accreditation.
The government should review the accreditation rules and make the process simple, clear, transparent, and timely, so that deserving journalists can receive their due rights.
The meeting also discussed making journalism more organized, responsible, and prosperous. Speakers noted that the nature of journalism is rapidly changing in modern times. Amidst the expansion of digital media, social media, and technological journalism, it is essential for journalists to be trained and professional.
Speakers suggested that young people with journalism degrees or recognized journalism training should be given more opportunities in the field of journalism. This will promote factuality, language, law, media ethics, and professional competence in journalism. Furthermore, the government and media institutions should conduct training and capacity building programs to encourage journalism education.
The meeting made an important democratic demand to the Maharashtra government, calling for initiatives to be taken towards creating a separate journalists’ constituency for journalists in the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
Speakers stated that journalists serve to bring forth the voices of various sections of society. If journalists are given the opportunity for institutional representation in a democratic system, issues related to journalism can be effectively raised at the policy-making level. This topic requires extensive discussion between journalist organizations, journalists, and the government.
Special guest, senior journalist Dr. Vijay Kumar Nilawar, said that journalism is not merely a matter of reporting news, but a means of fulfilling social responsibility. Journalists must perform their roles with impartiality, boldness, and factuality.
He added that while protecting journalists’ rights, journalists must also be vigilant about their duties. The strength of the organization will be effective only when all journalists resolve their differences and work together on common issues of journalistic interest.
Anil Khadse, State Secretary, Marathwada, who chaired the meeting, said that journalists’ problems need not only to be discussed, but also to be continuously addressed to resolve them. He called on the organization’s officials and members to work together and take every incident of journalist harassment seriously.
He stated that an organization’s identity is determined by the activism of its officials and their responsibility towards journalists. Therefore, each official should maintain regular contact with journalists in their area.
Chairing the meeting, District President Devdas Kharat expressed his resolve to further strengthen the organization in Hingoli district. He stated that the problems of journalists in the district would be compiled on a priority basis and presented to the relevant authorities and the government.
He stated that the organization’s objective is not merely to increase membership but to provide journalists with a strong platform where their problems can be heard and the organization can stand firmly with them when needed.
At the end of the meeting, the journalists and officials present resolved to continue their organized and democratic struggle on all issues related to journalist interests. It was agreed to effectively raise with the government issues such as the effective implementation of the Journalist Protection Act, housing and medical facilities for journalists, simplification of the pension scheme, streamlining the accreditation process, facilitating security and arms licenses for journalists facing genuine security threats, and making journalism more professional and qualitative.
The meeting clearly conveyed that journalists’ unity is their greatest strength, and the Indian Journalists Association will continue to fight to protect journalists’ interests. Long live journalist unity. The struggle to protect journalists’ interests will continue.
Prominent journalists present at the meeting included Anil Khadse, State Secretary, Marathwada; Devidas Kharat, District President, Hingoli; Haribhau Ranbawale, District Vice President, Hingoli; Raju Gawli, District Secretary, Ashruji Ghanghat, District Council Member, and others.
