Journalists seek protection law, welfare measures during meeting with Governor
AVINASH ANJAN
HAZARIBAG
A delegation of journalists led by Hazaribag Press Club President Umesh Pratap met Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar at Lok Bhawan and submitted a memorandum seeking stronger legal protection and welfare measures for journalists across the state.
The delegation included Shiv Agarwal, State President of the Jharkhand Union of Journalists Association, Union Advisor Om Ranjan Malviya, Hazaribag Press Club Treasurer Dr. Amarnath Pathak, and Executive Committee Member Md. Shamim Ahmed.
During the meeting, the delegation raised concerns over the increasing incidents of attacks, harassment and alleged filing of false cases against journalists in Jharkhand. The representatives said that journalists engaged in reporting on matters of public interest, corruption and crime are facing growing threats and intimidation.
According to the memorandum, three journalists in Hazaribag have allegedly faced life-threatening attacks during the past month, creating an atmosphere of fear within the media fraternity. The delegation claimed that attempts are being made to silence journalists through false FIRs and administrative harassment.
The memorandum urged the Governor to intervene and facilitate measures for the protection and welfare of journalists. Key demands included the enactment of a Journalist Protection Act in Jharkhand, the constitution of a Journalists Commission to safeguard media professionals, and the establishment of a Security and Inquiry Cell headed by a DSP-rank officer to ensure prompt and impartial investigations into cases involving journalists.
The delegation also sought the creation of a Journalist Welfare Fund, along with provisions for health insurance, pensions and other social security benefits. It further demanded that journalists working in districts and sub-divisional areas be provided basic facilities comparable to those available to accredited journalists and that a streamlined accreditation system be introduced at the district level.
After hearing the delegation’s concerns, Governor Santosh Gangwar assured the representatives that he would discuss the matter with Chief Minister Hemant Soren and would recommend the formation of a commission to the Central Government.
Earlier, the delegation welcomed the Governor with a bouquet, a traditional angavastram and a memento before presenting the memorandum.
