A Training Program on Capacity Building and Digital Economy was held on 2nd November 2022 at Kalimpong.
Journalists are not safe anywhere in the world even in our locality. Therefore, it has become mandatory for journalists to be united together and collectively raise their voices from the lower administrative level to the upper level with the governmental agencies. Geetharth Pathak, a twice-nominated member of the Press Council of India and president of the Indian Journalists’ Union, told a workshop held in Kalimpong that only the journalists’ trade union can fight against these elements.
The programme organised by Eastern Himalayan Journalists Union. Journalists from Kalimpong, Lava, Pedong participated in this workshop. He also shed light on the positive and negative impacts of digital media. He also reminded that some digital media have misled people due to their ignorance. He emphasized on the need to have knowledge or prior experience in journalism before starting a career in journalism. He further informed that the union is necessary because a club cannot do what an union could do.
Referring to the International Day to and Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, he stated about the steps that every country should take considering the international convention prepared by the International Federation of Journalists for the safety and rights of journalists. He also said that the Eastern Himalayan Journalist Union, a state union of the Indian Journalists Union affiliated to the International Federation of Journalists, is representing West Bengal.
He also mentioned how some unbiased journalists are functioning well even under the pressure of media houses, political parties and administration. EHJU Secretary AK Rai also explained some of the questions asked about digital media and the laws related to various press acts.
Rai said that there is only one trade union which is a registered union of journalists in the whole state of West Bengal and that is the Eastern Himalayan Journalists Union.
Journalist Rudra Karki moderated the interaction in the workshop which started with the welcome of the chairman AK Rasaily. The workshop was concluded after the vote of thanks by Prajwal Chhetri, secretary of the Kalimpong Press Club.