Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has protested to the appointment of Shri Sanjay Gupta, the owner-director of the Dainik Jagaran newspaper as one of the members of the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Board for a period of more than five years. Shri Gupta is known for denying wages, victimizing journalists, and no-journalist employees with gay abandon by browbeating and bribing the officials of the different departments.
All labour laws are thrown to the winds in his establishment and workers, including journalists, are made to work under the constant fear and the pressure of the management.
IFWJ has pointed out that not long ago Dainik Jagran was indicted for indulging into unfair trade practices and publishing paid news. Further, this newspaper under the stewardship of Shri Gupta has not only failed to pay the due wages to the employees according to Majithia Wage Board’s recommendation but has terminated, transferred, and changed the service conditions of hundreds of employees.
Recently, it has closed many units at different publication centres without following the due process of law. Hundreds of journalist and non-journalist employees are running from pillar to post to get justice but the management remains unmoved.
In a statement, the IFWJ Secretary -General Parmanand Pandey has asked the Central Government to annul the appointment of Shri Sanjay Gupta and replace him with any sensitive and respectable person, who can be helpful in framing and shaping the media policy of the Prasar Bharati.
The credibility is the essence of media, which can be instilled only by those, who are known for their probity and integrity. Shri Sanjary Gupta, certainly, does not in that category and therefore his induction in the Prasar Bharati will erode its image, said the IFWJ.
Bhagwan Bhardwaj,
Office -Secretary: IFWJ
