Effective implementation of the Journalist Protection Act is essential - Seraj Ahmad Quraishi

The Indian Journalist Association held a meeting in Ahmednagar.

Ahmednagar (Ahilyabai Nagar), Maharashtra.

An important meeting of Indian Journalist Association, Ahmednagar (Ahilyabai Nagar), Maharashtra, was held at the Smart Ahmednagar News Channel office in Fakirwada, Mukund Nagar. The chief guest was Seraj Ahmad Quraishi, National President of Indian Journalist Association; the special guest was Mohammad Tabish, State President, Marathwada; and the keynote speaker was Syed Anwar Qadri, State Organization Secretary, Marathwada.

The meeting discussed in detail several important issues related to journalistic interests, including the safety of journalists, the effective implementation of the Journalist Protection Act, strengthening the organization, the fight against harassment of journalists, housing, medical facilities, arms licenses for vulnerable journalists, and simplification of the pension scheme.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Guest and National President of the Indian Journalists Association, Seraj Ahmed Quraishi, stated that journalists are vigilant guardians of democracy. They perform the crucial function of highlighting societal problems,

corruption, administrative shortcomings, the accountability of public representatives, and the voices of the general public. Consequently, the safety of journalists is not solely a matter for journalists, but rather a question linked to the strength of the democratic system.

He stated that the passage of the Journalist Protection Act is certainly a significant achievement of journalists' struggle, but the law's true benefits will only be realized when its provisions are effectively implemented on the ground. In many places, despite incidents involving journalists, charges are not registered under the relevant sections of the law. In some places, there is a lack of knowledge of the law, while in others, officials and journalists lack adequate awareness of the provisions and procedures of the law.

Mr. Quraishi stated that disseminating information about the provisions of the Journalist Protection Act to every journalist should be the primary responsibility of the organization.  Awareness programs should be organized at the district and tehsil levels, informing journalists about the protections and legal remedies available under the law in situations such as harassment, threats, assault, pressure, forced obstruction, harassment for publishing news, or obstruction of journalistic work.

He stated that the organization will not remain silent if injustice is committed against any journalist. Whether the harassment is perpetrated by a political figure, an official, criminal elements, or any other influential individual, the organization will stand with the journalist in a democratic and legal manner.

Emphasizing the strength of the organization, the National President said that an organization is not strengthened by mere positions and meetings, but by active members, unity, discipline, transparency, and a continuous struggle for journalistic interests. He urged journalists to put personal differences aside and unite on issues of journalistic interest.

He described the housing scheme for journalists as an important issue, stating that journalists have been working for the benefit of society for a long time, but many journalists still struggle with housing problems.  The government should be asked to implement a transparent and simple housing scheme for eligible journalists.

Calling for expanded medical facilities for journalists, he said that special health schemes should be developed to provide adequate medical assistance to journalists and their families. Pension schemes for journalists also need to be simplified, transparent, and practical, so that senior and financially vulnerable journalists can live a respectable life.

Regarding journalists working in unsafe conditions, he said that the arms license process should be simplified and made transparent, based on regulations, after objectively assessing the cases of journalists who face real and proven security threats. Effective security arrangements should also be ensured at the administrative level for the safety of journalists.

Special guest and State President of Marathwada, Mohammad Tabish, said that a strong organizational structure is essential to protect the rights of journalists. If journalists remain isolated, their voices will be weakened. However, if journalists unite under the banner of an organization and raise their demands democratically, an effective message will reach the government and administration.

 He stated that the organization in the Marathwada region will be strengthened at the village, tehsil, taluka, and district levels. Each office-bearer must understand their responsibility and connect the organization's activities to addressing the real problems of journalists, not just meetings.

He emphasized the need to launch awareness campaigns about the Journalist Protection Act. He stated that enacting a law is not enough; journalists must also know what steps to take in a crisis, which officials to contact, and under which legal provisions to seek action.

Mohammad Tabish stated that every incident of harassment of journalists should be taken seriously, and the fight should be carried out through fact-finding, representations to the relevant authorities, legal procedures as needed, and democratic movements.

He called for an organized demand to the government to simplify housing, medical, pension, and journalist welfare schemes. He emphasized that the benefits of schemes announced for journalists should reach truly eligible journalists, and the application process should not be unnecessarily complicated.

Keynote speaker and State Organization Secretary, Marathwada, Syed Anwar Qadri, stated that while fighting for journalist safety, it is also essential to educate journalists about their rights and the law.

He stated that journalists often struggle with an incident and are unable to decide under which legal provision to file a complaint. Consequently, despite serious incidents, charges are not filed under the appropriate sections. Therefore, the organization should periodically organize training and awareness programs regarding the Journalist Protection Act, journalists' rights, police and administrative procedures, and the complaint filing process.

Syed Anwar Qadri stated that every office bearer of the organization should maintain regular contact with journalists in their area. Instead of abandoning a journalist's privacy, the organization should immediately gather information at the organizational level and raise the issue with the appropriate forum.

He emphasized that in cases of journalist harassment, instead of reacting emotionally, it is important to preserve facts, documents, news materials, copies of complaints, and other necessary evidence. This will help in effectively pursuing any case at the administrative and legal levels.

 Emphasizing the unity of the organization, he said that the fight of journalists is not a fight for any particular individual, but for the freedom, dignity, and security of journalism. Every member of the organization should work with the feeling that if a journalist faces a crisis, the entire organization will stand with him.

The meeting emphasized the need to effectively raise the following key issues in the interest of journalists and to continuously strive for their resolution:

- Demand for the effective implementation of all relevant sections of the Journalist Protection Act.

- Organizing awareness programs regarding the Journalist Protection Act for journalists and the police administration.

- Immediate organizational intervention in incidents of threats, assault, harassment, and obstruction of journalistic work.

- Demand for the implementation of a simple and transparent housing scheme for journalists.

- Improved medical facilities and health plans for journalists and their families.

- Demand for simplifying the process of providing arms licenses as per rules to eligible journalists facing genuine security threats.

- Simplification of the pension scheme for senior and needy journalists.

- Extending the benefits of journalist welfare schemes to truly eligible journalists.

 - Documenting incidents of journalist harassment and effectively advocating at the administrative level.

- Activating and strengthening the organization's district, taluka, and local units.

- Developing a sense of mutual unity, discipline, and organizational responsibility among journalists.

- Making journalists aware of their rights and available legal protections.

- Raising issues related to journalist interests with the government and administration in an organized and democratic manner.

During the meeting, the journalists present resolved that the Indian Journalists Association will continue to fight for the dignity, safety, freedom, and rights of journalists. In the event of injustice or harassment against any journalist, the organization will raise its voice in a democratic and legal manner, based on facts.

The meeting also clarified that the Journalist Protection Act will not be allowed to remain confined to paper. The organization will make phased efforts to ensure its effective implementation, legal awareness among journalists, and accountability at the administrative level.

Speakers emphasized that providing a safe and respectful environment for journalism is the responsibility of the entire society. A lasting solution to journalists' problems is possible only through strong organizations, vigilant journalists, and sustained democratic struggle.

 In the end, all the guests and present journalists resolved to protect the interests of journalists, strengthen the organization and continue the struggle unitedly against harassment of journalists.

Mainly District President Naseer Syed, District Vice President Farhan Sheikh, District General Secretary Ansar Syed, District Secretary Arsheed Syed, District Organization Secretary Gorakh Dahiphale, District Media Incharge Suraj Gaware, District Council Member Zia Syed, Kiran Kamble and Shahebaz Syed, Sheikh Irfan etc. journalists were present in the meeting.