A strong call for the enactment of a Journalists’ Protection Act and comprehensive welfare measures for media professionals marked the three-day National Convention and protest programme organised by the Voice of Media and the Voice of Media International Forum in New Delhi.
The two-day National Convention, held on July 27 and 28 at the World Youth Centre, brought together journalists, office-bearers and delegates from across the country to deliberate on the challenges facing the media profession and the future of journalism. The event concluded with a one-day national protest at Jantar Mantar on July 29, demanding stronger legal protection and rights for journalists.
The convention adopted a series of unanimous resolutions focusing on journalists’ safety, legal protection, social security, healthcare, skill development, digital media regulation and organisational expansion, describing them as essential for safeguarding the future of the profession.
Addressing the gathering, Founder President Sandeep Kale, National President Anil Mhaske, National Vice-President Ashok Wankhede and other senior office-bearers highlighted the growing challenges confronting journalists and stressed the need for a united platform to defend press freedom and professional rights.
In a special session on digital journalism, media expert Gaganji Mahotra spoke on the growing influence of social media, saying digital platforms have become indispensable tools for modern journalism.
He observed that the impact of social media has grown significantly since the 2014 elections, making it imperative for journalists to effectively combine traditional reporting with digital platforms. He encouraged media professionals to embrace emerging technologies, including audio-visual platforms and independent digital publishing, while acquiring new skills to enhance the credibility and reach of journalism.
National Vice-President Ashok Wankhede described Voice of Media as a global organisation committed to protecting journalists’ rights and welfare.
He said that although several organisations work for journalists, Voice of Media has established a distinct identity by consistently raising issues affecting media professionals and uniting journalists across India and abroad.
“Journalism will never cease to exist, and the voice of journalists can never be suppressed,” Wankhede said, urging media professionals to uphold the principles of truthful, fearless and responsible journalism while adapting to technological advancements.
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According to a press release, the convention featured extensive discussions on journalists’ safety, legal safeguards, healthcare, pension, education, insurance, measures to curb attacks on journalists, training in modern journalism, Artificial Intelligence and organisational strengthening.
Office-bearers from different states reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the organisation and strengthening its presence across the country. National President Kaushik Adhikari, Bansilal Panchal, Maharashtra State President Vijay Chordia, Rajesh Dubey (Bihar), Sapna Dutta (Assam), Rekha Sharma (Uttar Pradesh), Kannubhai Solanki (Gujarat), Sumant Ganguly (West Bengal), Gopal Gupta (Rajasthan), Deepak Sharma (Madhya Pradesh), Vikas Sharma (Himachal Pradesh), Max Marius Menuse-O (Nagaland), Jiten (Manipur), Beniram (Uttarakhand), Sunil Joseph, and several others reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the organisation.
During the convention, Digambar Mahale was elected as the National Working President. Journalists from different parts of the country were also felicitated by Ashok Wankhede in recognition of their contributions to the profession.
The National Convention unanimously adopted several significant resolutions for the overall welfare of journalists. These included the enactment of a Journalists’ Protection Act, the constitution of a verification committee before registering criminal cases against journalists, comprehensive health insurance and inclusion of journalists under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, accident insurance and financial assistance, enhancement of pension benefits and extension of pension to digital journalists, affordable housing and construction of press buildings in every district, establishment of a National Journalists’ Welfare Corporation, regular skill development programmes and Artificial Intelligence-based journalism training, a separate law for digital media, special protection for journalists working in remote areas, legal protection of journalists’ rights, support for small newspapers, effective implementation of the Majithia Wage Board recommendations, representation for Voice of Media in the Press Council of India, restoration of railway travel concessions for journalists, and regular coordination meetings of journalists’ organisations at the district level.
