Journalists’ United Forum submits memorandum to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister; demands special law for journalists’ safety & hike in welfare pension

Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty): The Sambadika Milita Mancha (Journalists’ United Forum) submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting at his residence in New Delhi regarding various issues faced by journalists. 

The Forum demanded that the government introduce the enactment of a special law for the safety of journalists, similar to the framework implemented in Maharashtra.

The meeting was chaired by Convenor of the Forum Dr. Lingaraj Sahoo, with the presence of Dr. Gadadhar Das, Dr. Bipin Bihari Mishra, and other members. 

Dr. Sahoo stated that journalists often face attacks while performing their duties, and therefore, an immediate enactment of a special protection law is necessary.

The memorandum also demanded the inclusion of journalists’ parents under the insurance scheme, extension of insurance coverage to journalists working in recognized web channels and news portals, hike in the Journalist Welfare Pension, and provision of retirement pension.

During the 2024 General Elections, the Journalists’ United Forum had earlier met the BJP Manifesto Committee Head at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, urging that journalists’ issues be included in the party’s poll manifesto.