'Save media freedom': Journalist bodies raise issues in the industry, call for formation of media commission

The National Alliance of Journalists and the Delhi Union of Journalists have called for a media commission to study the prevailing media situation in the country and look into press freedom, wage fixing mechanisms, and other pressing issues, NewsClick reported.

The two bodies wrote to political leaders, parliamentarians, trade unions, and eminent citizens on Monday. They asked for the immediate replacement of the Press Council with a Media Council of India, bringing print, digital, broadcast and cable media under one roof.

Newsclick noted that the two groups said that it should not be the government’s responsibility to formulate guidelines for print, digital and broadcast media functioning; instead, members of the press, along with experts, should do so.

Since the government did away with the Working Journalists Act 1995 and Fixation of Wages Act 1956, the bodies said that a media commission was needed to survey the status of media, its ownership patterns, problems of monopoly and cross-media holdings, and revenue models heavily dependent on government and private advertisement.

The NAJ and DUJ also highlighted other key issues being faced by journalists in the country, including threat to press freedom, independent media being threatened by the new IT rules, and lack of access for journalists covering parliament. They said that a permanent wage structure that is periodically revised was also necessary.

Their statement said: “We urge you to heed our call to save media freedoms and save journalists from the multi-pronged attacks they are facing today. We ask you to pass new laws to protect our liberties and those of all citizens, including those who have been unfairly targeted and prosecuted. Above all, we urge you to uphold the Constitution and its values and defend democracy today."