Itanagar: APUWJ takes out protest rally
Journalists under the aegis of APUWJ took out a protest rally at Itanagar against increasing curbs imposed on the freedom of press.
Itanagar
Condemning the ever increasing curbs imposed on the freedom of press and speech by the Central and some of the state governments, the scribes of Arunachal Pradesh under the aegis of Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) took out a massive protest rally at Itanagar on Saturday.
The rally, taken out at the call of Indian Journalists Union (IJU) against the atrocities meted out to journalists and media houses, killing of journalists, intolerance of state and central governments, saw the protestors walking all the way from Aakashdeep shopping complex to the Press Club here. Carrying festoons, placards and banners, the protestors engaged in slogan shouting demanding protection of rights of the media.
The demands of IJU including constitution of a meaningful and independent Media Council of India, introduction of pension scheme for journalists, implementation of Majithia Wage Board and the safety and security of journalists were later highlighted in detail by APUWJ president Amar Sangno, who addressed the gathering after the rally at the Press Club.
Sangno, who was quite vocal about the ‘Central government’s attempt to suppress media through management’ said, “Over the years India has been thumping its chest and claiming that it is the largest democracy of the world, however, if on goes through the Reporters Without Border’s World Press Freedom Index, the ranking of India has slipped down to 138 and the same is depressing.”
Denouncing the continuous attacks on journalists and media houses by the government, he said the central and state governments across the country were intolerant when it came to protecting the freedom of press.
“The government’s attempt to muzzle free media is like attacking the basis of democracy. Pressurizing media houses and independent journalists to conform to the diktats of the ruling dispensation not only weakens the foundation of democracy in the country but also violates the freedom of expression and people’s right to know as guaranteed under the Constitution,” said Sangno.
Watch Video
APUWJ general secretary Ranju Dodum said, “Without a free press, no real democracy can exist. The work that we do as journalists and media persons is essential for the functioning of a democracy”.
He also spoke on the dire need to enact the Working Journalists Protection (WJP) Act by all the state governments so as to protect journalists from being soft targets and facing violence.
While informing that Maharashtra is the only state in India where an Act to protect the rights of working journalists has been passed, Dodum opined that the WJP Act should also be enacted in Arunachal Pradesh to ensure the safety of scribes who often face daunting situations.
Senior journalists P K Behera and Taro Chatung and Rajiv Gandhi University associate professor Dr Nani Bath also spoke on the occasion.
The APUWJ will be submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday which it demanded the enactment of Working Journalists Protection Act, introduction of pension scheme for working journalists and implementation of Majithia Wage Board in state.
Exemption of journalists from toll and parking taxes and accommodation for accredited journalists at government guest houses were the other demands of the Union.
Arunachal Civil Society chairman Patey Tayum, Arunachal Students Union Delhi general secretary Dewan Natung and state president of Consumer Rights Organisation Achu Bagang among others were present in Saturday’s rally.
