'Journalists must fight together for rights'

Published on:

22 Jun 2015, 12:00 am

Working journalists are not safe in the country. Cases of attacks on them are increasing day by day. Hence, all media representatives should fight together to ascertain their rights.This was viewed by eminent persons at the 124th executive meeting of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) held at the KIIT University here on Saturday under the auspice of the Utkal Journalists’ Association (UJA).The meeting held under chairmanship of IFWJ national president K Vikram Rao was attended by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Information and Public Relations Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda.

Union Minister Pradhan said time has now come for the Government to think more of journalists’ safety. He said journalists in Odisha, once identified by the State Government, can get benefit from various Central schemes.I&PR Minister Nayak assured that the State Government would soon take positive steps for economical development of the working media reporters of the State. Similarly, Minister Panda said journalists should fight together to get their rights.

IFWJ general secretary Paramananda Pandy urged the Odisha Government to respect the Supreme Court order by implementing the Majethia Wage Board recommendations for journalists in the State.Among others, Utkal Journalists’ Association Jimuta Mangaraj and general secretary Benudhar Panda, IFWJ vice-president Manoj Das, Satya Parikh, Mallikarjuna, treasurer Shyam Bahu, secretary Namita Bora, K Ashadulla, Ram Prakash Yadav, Hemant Tiwari and Asif Sidique were present.