It is a known fact that working journalists are the voice of the voiceless when they filed reports about the downtrodden people. But, when it comes to their ‘fight’ for a better deal with their employers….who is there to speak up for them?
I will just mention one example. A reporter friend was called up in the middle of the night by a citizen to tell her about the power failure in her locality! My friend, also living in the same area had coolly took the power cut as “temporary” and she lighted her candles and had gone to sleep. But for the amm-admi she has to write a story early next morning after calling up the lineman and the electricity company’s office. Likewise, when my friend who is now being paid very “low” as compared to the other sectors wants a better pay package. Who will speak up for her now?
As journalists are one of the pillars of democracy their interests must be look after by their employers who make millions out of their relentless efforts. And, when they are not ready to give their staff, who are considered the champions of freedom and justice, to whom shall they turn? I think it is absolutely correct for the government to intervene and make sure that all the big newspapers adhere to the Wage Boards Recommendations. In fact it should be made mandatory!
It is not fair for newspaper managements to make millions of profits in the name of freedom of press and democracy while they exploited their staff with a meager compensation. If you ask a print media journalist his or her salary they will not tell you … out of shame for the low pay structure. Now, is it not right for the government or the readers to demand a handsome salary for journalists?
4 comments:
Well said. I think it is high time for the newspaper owners to give their staff a well deserved hike like a true gentleman.
I think all except The Hindu is sticking to the Wage board guidelines in respect to working hours and so forth.
The Working Journalists Act clearly stipulates 6 hour a day and 5 hours for night shifts. However, most of the big media houses have been violating all these rules. Why should they be penalized? I will understand if the media houses were running into loses yet when a single front page jacket advert which comes to no less than Rs 35-60 lakh is more than enough to pay their entire staff.
Nice to see this blog has come up.
@R Rai, What do you mean??? by your statement "I think all except The Hindu is sticking to the Wage board guidelines in respect to working hours and so fort"...
I think you are trying to say that it is only THE HINDU which is following the Wage Board Recommendations. I have seen that most staff at THE HINDU are under the Wageboard systems and they are paid accordingly. However, there are others like TOI which never bothered to see the welfare of their junior staff.
the fact is that almost all newspaper owners are scoundrels who use the freedom of press just to ensure financial freedom for their kith and kin while crushing journalist under the jackboot of overwork and underpayment.
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