SHILLONG: Journalist from the North east region has formed an umbrella body Northeast India Federation of Journalist (NIFJ) to fight for the rights concerning the welfare and security of the journalists in the region.
The umbrella body was formed during the concluding day of the Regional Seminar-cum-Workshop’ organized by the International Federation of Journalist (South Asia Media Solidarity Network) on Monday.
As per the preamble of the new body, the basic objective to form this body is to work collectively and in collaboration to promote and defend rights related to the freedom of the media and the right to free association in Northeast India.
The preamble also said that it would emphasize to strengthen the freedom of expression and access to information, healthy public dialogue, conflict resolution and democratic processes through promotion of quality and independent journalism underpinned by respect for the economic and professional rights of journalists and media workers.
“By supporting the role of journalists and the media in campaigning for press freedom and media independence, we will reinforce the central role of an independent media in promoting civil society, democratic discourse and human rights for all,” the preamble iterated.
The charter of the Federation asserted that all journalists and media staff have the right to work in conditions of safety and security, including the right to “collectively bargain for wages and appropriate (improved) working conditions”.
The new Federation also seeks to “urgently respond to challenges to journalists’ rights in individual countries through international missions”, global days of action, and other relevant mechanisms and processes of regional and international solidarity.
Meanwhile, during the valedictory function, Labour Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has emphasized that journalists should start a movement to fight for their own rights.
‘I think it is time for the journalist to pursue their own cause,” Ampareen said while also assuring that the Government would take all possible steps to improve the welfare and well being of the journalists in the State.
While underlining the core issues which were mentioned in the recommendations of the Majithia wage boards for journalists and other newspaper employees with some amendment, she said that the Government would try to comply with various recommendations including the formation of the tripartite committee.
Lyngdoh also assured the gathering that the State government would endeavor to look into enhancing measures for the welfare, including housing facilities and health insurance besides safety of working journalists not only in the State but in the region as a whole.
Directorate of Information and Public Relation H Shangpliang said that the Government would look to immaculate the various welfare schemes adopted in various States.
The Shillong Press Club president David Laitphlang expressed optimism that the seminar would bring to light several issues relating to the working conditions of journalists in the north east and that the State governments in the region would also take note of these and follow-up with requisite action.
The seminar, the first of its kind to be held in Meghalaya, was organized in collaboration with the Shillong Press Club and with active support of the Indian Journalists Union and the Meghalaya Government.