INS advertisements on journalists wage board: Yes it makes no sense at all

The Times of India which has been “campaigning against” implementation of  wage board recommendations has published an advertisement allegedly put up in the name of Indian Newspaper Society (INS) on its June 15, 2011 issue again. Remember, the INS is a society formed by newspapers owners and its interest lies in protecting their business.

Strangely, it has been and only The Times of India which has been publishing such ads…. Why it did? Is it because it is the only newspaper which is recruiting staff on ‘contract basic’ where employees are given an ‘average compensation’.? Or, has the INS decided to speak through TOI only?

It is also possible that other mainstream newspapers who are members of the INS have unions and they must have feared that if they publish such ads which misleads the public, they will get a tough fight from the unions.

However, let look at what the ‘INS Advertisement’ said:-

1. Wage Board is undemocratic:- Why should a wage board which caters to the welfare of the journalists be undemocratic? When the unions and the government felt that it is time journalists get ‘proper’ pay checks in view of the rising market trends, why is the INS or for that matter the Times of India trying to “oppress” their staff with such meager income ranging anywhere between Rs 8000 to Rs 30,000. ow can they expect a journalist to be independent of big business houses and big shots when their income is abysmally low? Was democratic institutions meant to work for the welfare of each and every sections of the society? By calling the wage board ‘undemocratic’, the INS is making a mockery of the very institution – the Government of Free India- which was set up for protecting the interest of the people.

2. Wage board applies only to print media:-  If the INS feels that Wage board is applicable only to the print media, why the hue and cry? The primary reasons could be because the print media journalists are “poorly” paid as and when compared with their counterparts in the electronic media. An electronic media journalist at the beginning of his or her career is paid no less than Rs 18000/- whereas a print media journalist gets Rs 8000/- So, naturally, there is a big difference between print and electronic media.

3. Can journalist write fearlessly against the government when he knows it is the same government that is deciding his salary? This is perhaps the silliest and most stupid question put up by a “respectable” institution like the INS. The same question can be put it in this manner. Can a journalist write fearlessly against the very institution when he knows it is the same institution that is giving him his salary? In fact, it is not the journalist that is deciding whether to write against the government or not. This decision to follow-up a story or break news about corruption in the government is taken by the editorial board wherein the managements have a big say. If the managing editor (read usually the owner) says a word, not even the Editor or Associate Editor will open their mouth against it. Now, see how relevant or irrelevant the INS question is.

4.Peon may receive up to Rs 45,000 and driver may get Rs 50,000 a month:- Absolutely bizarre claim. When most drivers are either on contract or outsourced where is the question of drivers getting that much money. INS appears to be clueless about the drivers who ferry their employees. And for a peon, when his basic salary usually in most cases starts at Rs 4000, even a 100% hike will give him just Rs 8000. With PF and other benefits he may finally draw Rs 11000-12000.

Journalists must be self-reliant from big business houses and politicians. How can this be achieved? Give them decent salary so that they don’t have to “beg” or “bow” to politicians and businessmen.  It is as simple as that. If the INS members want their staff to be really resolute and fearless pillars of democracy it is high time they give their staff a salary that proportional to the market prices. While they millions and million of profits, why are they fretting over a rather “small per cent” for their staff while even a single full page advertisement on the front page will meet one month salaries of all their employees.

INS advertisements make no sense at all for journalists who despite being poorly paid are ready to lay their their lives. Remember, it is not the “owners” of newspapers who go out in the field to get the news, no matter rain or sun.