Press Statement

NUJ(I) welcomes Union Labour Minister’s proposal to amend Working Journalists Act 1955

18 Apr, 2017

The National Union of Journalists (India), the premier national body of working journalists, welcomed the Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya’s statement on amending the Working Journalists Act, 1955.

The Labour Minister said in Kochi today that the Union Government would take initiatives to amend the Working Journalists Act. He assured the mediapersons that his Ministry would form a tripartite committee including establishments, working journalists, state government and the Labour Ministry. He also emphasised on proper compensation and wages to the scribes.

In a joint statement, NUJ(I) President Ras Bihari and Secretary General Ratan Dixit said the NUJ(I) has been demanding amendments in the Working Journalists Act for over a decade so that it can address the issues concerning the mediapersons. “The Act must include the Electronic Media, Web portals and Social Media in its jurisdiction.

The Act should be strengthened. All media dealing with news and current affairs should be brought within the purview of the Act. A clause by clause amendment of the Act is needed and it should be strengthened so that it addresses the issues concerning the mediapersons. The NUJ(I) has been strongly advocating amendments in the larger interests of strengthening the vital institution of democracy,” the NUJ(I) leaders said in the statement.

Written By

National Union of Journalists (India) National Union of Journalists (India)

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