Skip to content Skip to navigation

JFA urges political parties to show gestures

As Assam prepares for the next Legislative Assembly election in the next few weeks, a media forum urged all political parties to show their sincerity towards the implementation of various welfare schemes for media persons, engaged in both print & electronic media. Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) also insisted on enrolling a special protection law for scribes on duty in the election manifestos by both the regional and national political parties. Expressing grave concern over helpless working condition of media persons, particularly the private television employees including working journalists in northeast India, the forum appealed to the Union government to look into the matter seriously.

The forum, in a statement issued by its president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria, argued that nearly 80% working journalists of the region are still performing their duties with pitiable salaries (read monthly financial package), unlimited working hours and without any facilities recommended by the country's labour laws.

The forum pointed out that the reporters and camera persons, engaged with the satellite news channels of the region have to work in a vulnerable atmosphere with low wages, more than 8 hours working period in a day, without weekly off-day, no leaves in need and with no comprehensive facility for life & health insurance coverage. Earlier the JFA raised demands for a social media audit across India where the readers/viewers can find a transparent picture of the financial dealings involved with their favourite news papers and news channels.

“The media audit should address various vital issues relating to the media market in the country,” said the forum adding that the exercise in the long run should help the journalists and non-journalist media employees to get due benefits supported by the law of the land.

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

Two Ukrainian nationals arrested in Assam

22 Apr 2022 - 3:11pm | Mortuja Ahmed Laskar
Two individuals from Ukraine were apprehended by the Railway Protection Force in Badarpur on April 21. They had travelled from Agartala via the Tripura Sundari Express towards New Delhi. Because...

North East Graduate Congress from February 26

15 Feb 2016 - 11:04am | Daya Nath Singh
Long awaited North East Graduate Congress, an initiative of Education Research Development Foundation (ERDF) is going to be held from February 26 to 28, 2016. This is the only graduate congress in...

Dharna in Dispur for AIIMS at Raha

8 Aug 2016 - 1:40pm | Sanjoy K Kakati
People in large number from Raha stagwed dharma in Dispur on Monday reiterating the demand to set up the proposed AIIMS in the area. Led by the Raha AIIMS Demand Committee, the protesters reached the...

NH blockade on Jan 9

31 Dec 2016 - 5:51pm | AT Kokrajhar Bureau
The All Bodo Students Union(ABSU), NDFB(P) and PJACBM declares 24-hours national highway blockade at Udalguri on January 9, 2017 demnading eraly solution of long standinf pending demnad of separate...

Other Contents by Author

The Directorate of Cultural Affairs under the Assam government marked its 53rd anniversary with a historic event celebrating the recognition of Asomiya (Assamese) as a classical language. Held at the iconic Rabindra Bhawan, the evening highlighted the significance of this achievement and charted a roadmap for the language's preservation and growth in written and colloquial forms. The courtyard of Rabindra Bhawan, adorned with vibrant decorations and a podium beneath lush Bokul trees, hosted an enthusiastic audience of dignitaries and scholars. As the sun dipped below the Brahmaputra’s horizon, the program commenced with three distinguished panelists sharing their insights. The...
Tensions escalated in Manipur’s violence-hit Jiribam district on Sunday night as clashes between security forces and protesters turned deadly, officials reported. A young protester, identified as 21-year-old K. Athouba, was fatally shot amid the chaos. A police official confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine who fired the fatal shot, while protesters allege that a Manipur Police special commando unit was responsible. Two others were reported injured in the incident. The violence erupted as mobs attacked and vandalized properties belonging to political leaders and various party offices. According to police reports, the unrest began at Babupara before spreading to other...
The body of a tiger was discovered in the Horonbali Chapori area of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, located in Assam’s Biswanath district, on Monday. Forest guards came across the carcass during a routine patrol and alerted senior officials, who subsequently arrived at the scene to recover the remains. Preliminary findings suggest that the tiger may have died as a result of a fight with another tiger. To confirm the exact cause of death, samples will be sent to a forensic laboratory for further analysis. The disposal of the carcass was carried out under the supervision of senior forest officials and veterinary doctors. Kaziranga National Park, recognized as a Tiger Reserve...
Guwahati Police has successfully busted a cybercrime gang involved in a major fraud operation. Eight individuals were arrested following a raid at a lodge in Boragaon. The gang was operating a network of "mule bank accounts" to facilitate the transfer of illegally obtained money. The arrested individuals were involved in opening bank accounts using fake identities and documents. They would then hand over these accounts to cybercriminals who used them to launder money obtained through online scams. The police seized numerous items, including mobile phones, ATM cards, cheque books, and electronic devices, from the arrested individuals. A case has been registered against the accused, and...
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, to six police stations across five districts in Manipur. This decision, effective immediately, will remain in place until March 31, 2025. The affected areas include Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong, and Moirang police stations in Imphal West, Imphal East, Jiribam, Kangpokpi, and Bishnupur districts. The extension is aimed at empowering security forces to conduct coordinated operations and address the ongoing ethnic violence and insurgent activity in the region. The MHA's decision follows a comprehensive review of the security situation in Manipur, which continues to be volatile...
The voting under by-polls in six assembly constituencies of Assam and Meghalaya, conducted to fill up the vacant seats (as the respective legislators had shifted their focus to the national politics after winning the recently conducted Lok Sabha polls), ended largely peacefully on Wednesday evening with a satisfactory over 70% voters’ turn out. The fate of all candidates is stored in the electronic voting machines, which will be opened on 23 November next. Along with these seats, by-polls for over 40 assembly constituencies (along with two Lok Sabha seats) in other parts of India are on the card along with the State assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand before the counting day...
It is with deep sorrow that the Asam Sahitya Sabha UK Chapter announces the passing of its first president, Shri Bhuban Baruah, who breathed his last this morning at Bexleyheath, London (1932 - November 1, 2024). The news has cast a shadow of grief over the UK Chapter and the wider Assamese community. Shri Baruah, who emigrated over five decades ago, was a stalwart Assamese by heart and a knowledgeable yet humble individual. Born in Digboi, he pursued higher education at the University of Calcutta, earning his law degree and later completing his Master’s in Law from Banaras Hindu University with distinction. He worked as the Chief Correspondent for the Shillong Assembly before coming to...
The Assam State Committee of Anganwadi Workers and Assistants Association (ASAWWA) staging a protest in front of the Directorate of the Women and Child Welfare Department in Ujan Bazar, Guwahati on November 4. The protesters demanded the government publish the official notice regarding a proposed salary increase for Anganwadi workers and assistants. The association is advocating for transparency and timely communication regarding the salary adjustments, which are crucial for the livelihood of its members. The protest underscores the ongoing struggles faced by Anganwadi workers in securing fair compensation for their vital contributions to community health and education.
Guwahati, Oct. 29:  A wave of protest swept through Guwahati on Tuesday as concerned citizens gathered at Dighalipukhuri to oppose the felling of numerous ancient trees for the construction of a flyover connecting Noonmati and Dighalipukhuri. Protesters, united under the banner "Save Our Trees, Save Our Heritage," expressed deep concern over the potential environmental impact and loss of the city's natural beauty. They argued that the 200-year-old trees, vital to the ecosystem, act as natural air purifiers, reduce urban heat, and provide a sanctuary for migratory birds. Community leaders and environmental activists have pledged to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to halt...
KOKRAJHAR, OCT 28: A significant awareness program was organized on Monday at Jalah Girls’ High School in Baksa district, focusing on child protection mechanisms, human trafficking, and the safety and empowerment of women and children. The initiative was a joint effort by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), and the ICDS project, Jalah, under the Women and Child Development (WCD) department. Dr. Lipika Barman, the District Child Protection Officer of Baksa (in-charge), presided over the event. Kalpana Das, CDPO of the ICDS Project, Jalah, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the...