How many days in a week?

Journalists across the country went on a rather “softcore strike” on June 28 and during that time their leaders were “assured” by the political leadership that the government will “take up the issue” at the cabinet meeting “within a week”.

However, that “week” is gone and nothing has happened! Has the government forgotten basic numerals that there are only 7 days in a week and not 14 days or 30 days?

The Union Labour Minister who hails from Karnakata proudly announced that he was not against the Wageboard recommendations so were his colleagues. If all is well, then why this stretching of weeks and months?

Poor journalists! My sympathy with them. This is India, my friends and you know very well how our government works. So, don’t mind too much even if the government thinks that there are 356 days in a week.

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Will the Majithia wage board recommendations be ever implemented?

There is already a feeling among sections of the Indian journalists that the demand for a better pay check will ultimately go down the drains as the Indian Newspapers Society (owners) are “unlikely to fully implement” the recommendations even if the Centre issued a notification in the official gazette.

However, some of them choose to remain optimistic. Last night as I was chatting with a friend over the phone I could sense that she was still hopeful of the wage board. She said despite the delay the government “will ultimately” have to issue the notification “in the larger interest of the workers and freedom of the press.”

Note this:- Of all the four wage boards, so far, the Majithia wage board taken the longest period (of delay). It has lapsed six months since the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh “gifted the good news” to working journalists on New Year.

So, what is your opinion? Will the Majithia wage board recommendations be implemented? Speak out in the comment box… You can use your real name or anonymous name.

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Journalists to go on strike on June 28

Journalists unions under the banner of All India Newspaper Employees Federation (AINEF) are all set to go on strike over the delay in the implementation of the Majithia Wageboard Commission Report on June 28, 2011.

Protests will be organised at major cities across the country according to AINEF sources.

The federation is “protesting against the delay” by the government and alleged “false campaign” by Indian Newspapers Society about the panel’s recommendation.

Will it make a difference?

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Who will speak for ‘exploited journalists’?

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?

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Do you think the government is trying to muzzle print media by bringing the wage board?

If you have been watching Times Now and reading The Times of India, you must have seen how the Times Group tried to “mislead” the public by giving one-sided view on the issue.

The television campaign shows big media owners speaking about “freedom of press”. There is not a single instance of real journalists speaking on the issue. Can we call this “freedom of the press” when the owners of media channels themselves “muzzled” the voices of their own staff or their own tribe who are working in the newspapers?

Did you buy the INS advertisements and the TV campaigns? Say it out in the comments box below.

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Why big Indian newspapers are silent on these issues

Paid news, in which advertisements are couched as news? Silence.

Private treaties, in which vested interest is touted as ads? Silence.

Medianet, in which anybody can buy his or her way into the paper? Silence.

Cross-media ownership, which results in monopolies shutting out choice? Silence.

Dubious ownership, in which crooks, criminals and the corrupt become media barons—and underwrite major industry conventions? Silence.

Predatory pricing, which strangles small newspapers? Silence.

Dumping of copies to pump up circulation numbers? Silence.

Complicity of journalists with lobbyists? Silence.

The killing of journalists in the line of duty? Silence.

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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.

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