increasing threats to press freedom and the rights & dignity of journalists!

The National Alliance of Journalists (NAJ) , the Delhi Union of Journalists(DUJ) the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) the Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists Federation (APWJF) and associated members from various parts of the country in a 14 point charter to members of Parliament and members of various political parties have called for immediate steps to save and revive journalism in view of increasing threats to press freedom and the rights and dignity of journalists .

They have further demanded a Media Commission of India in the lines of the
First and Second Press Commissions , end to the Labour Codes and increasing attempts to gag the media. It has noted that “several journalists, including eminent editor Prabir Purkayastha, are in jail for exposing this government and the forces that control this government. Journalists such as Siddique Kappan are facing criminal charges, including UAPA charges, after spending years in prison.

In Kashmir many journalists such as Fahad Shah, Sajad Gul, Irfan Mehraj, Aasif Sultan and Majid Hyderi have been arrested while most other journalists live in fear. Since 2010, as many as 15 journalists and two media managers have been charged under UAPA, seven are still behind bars. Sedition charges have been filed against leading journalists like Vinod Dua, Mrinal Pande, Rajdeep Sardesai and others.

Defamation charges have been filed against journalists like Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, Ravi Nair and many others. Raids on media, seizure of electronic devices and harassment of media employees is becoming another menace.”

The charter has stressed the fact that there has been no Wage Boards for the past 13 years, nor any willingness to constitute another one, or even grant interim relief.

The letter is timed with the current session of Parliament. The detailed charter is attached for your kind perusal and usage.