![](\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjaTxBpPRxxTbKroiV2eRutxZ1rdR1axplnv160BUjoL-eg0ieed3olT28KBUIHKQr5F640FZQwmFesXarae83w6ZH0V8jj8aSFzxgj7IdB8QVipUMcVFA7W2qpuMM5WkhT-IBq2Di3nelkJcLh6FnJCfSmdUr1LYCGwotFdYeNSahyUTi57yMiymAiD8g\/w640-h526\/IMG-20230611-WA0097.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\nKalimNews, New Delhi, July 19, 2025<\/span> : In a decisive move reflecting the growing concerns over journalists’ welfare and the deteriorating state of press freedom in India, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) convened its National Executive Committee meeting virtually on July 19, 2025. The Union unanimously passed four significant resolutions addressing urgent issues facing media professionals nationwide. These include appeals for reinstating railway concessions, protecting press freedom in Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring pension security, and enacting robust laws for journalist safety.<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Call for Restoration of Railway Fare Concessions<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\nThe IJU urged the Government of India and the Ministry of Railways to promptly restore the 50% fare concession for accredited journalists and the 40% concession for senior citizens\u2014both of which have remained suspended since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. IJU President Geetartha Pathak, a former Press Council of India member, emphasized that journalists play a crucial role in strengthening democracy by informing the public, while senior citizens must be allowed affordable travel to stay connected. \u201cDenying these concessions undermines the contributions of two vital groups in society,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n
Grave Concerns Over Press Freedom in Jammu & Kashmir<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\nExpressing serious alarm over the escalating restrictions on press freedom in Jammu & Kashmir, the IJU condemned ongoing harassment, arbitrary detentions, prolonged interrogations, and the economic throttling of local media through the withholding of government advertisements. \u201cThe systematic suppression of media voices in Jammu & Kashmir is a direct attack on democracy,\u201d said Pathak, calling on the Union Government, Lieutenant Governor, and the local administration to uphold constitutional guarantees of free speech. IJU Secretary General Sabina Inderjit added, \u201cThe financial strangulation of newspapers and the climate of fear among journalists are unacceptable. We demand immediate restoration of government advertising and an end to institutional intimidation.\u201d The IJU also reaffirmed its support for the recommendations of the Press Council of India on this matter.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n
Demand for a Uniform Pension Policy for Journalists<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\nAcknowledging the economic vulnerability faced by retired journalists, the IJU demanded the implementation of a uniform pension policy across the country. The Union proposed a minimum monthly pension of \u20b925,000 and standard eligibility criteria of at least 10 years of professional service. Inderjit highlighted the current disparities between states and emphasized that a dignified pension is a deserved recognition of journalists’ lifelong service to truth and democracy. She called upon the Central Government to frame model guidelines in consultation with relevant stakeholders and urged state governments to adopt pension schemes consistent with those standards. \u201cWe will continue to raise our voice nationally and globally until journalists are given the security and dignity they deserve,\u201d she affirmed.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n
Urgent Need for Journalists\u2019 Safety and Security Legislation<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\nResponding to the rising incidents of violence, harassment, online abuse, and even murder of journalists across India, the IJU strongly demanded the immediate enactment of a Journalists\u2019 Safety and Security Act by all state governments. The proposed legislation should be modelled after the Maharashtra Journalists\u2019 Protection Act to ensure professional safety and independence. Additionally, the IJU called on the Central Government to introduce a comprehensive national law to provide consistent legal protection for media personnel throughout the country. \u201cJournalists must be able to carry out their duties without fear or favor. A uniform national law is critical to upholding the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression,\u201d said Pathak.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\nThe IJU reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to defending the rights, safety, and dignity of journalists. The Union vowed to persist in its advocacy through sustained campaigns at the state, national, and international levels to ensure protective legal and policy frameworks for the media community.<\/span><\/p>\nThese resolutions reflect growing demands from the media fraternity for systemic reforms and recognition of journalists as essential guardians of democracy.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"KalimNews, New Delhi, July 19, 2025 : In a decisive move reflecting the growing concerns over journalists’ welfare and the deteriorating state of press freedom in India, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) convened its National Executive Committee meeting virtually on July 19, 2025. The Union unanimously passed four significant resolutions addressing urgent issues facing media […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":121,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=120"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":123,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120\/revisions\/123"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms.ehju.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![](\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjaTxBpPRxxTbKroiV2eRutxZ1rdR1axplnv160BUjoL-eg0ieed3olT28KBUIHKQr5F640FZQwmFesXarae83w6ZH0V8jj8aSFzxgj7IdB8QVipUMcVFA7W2qpuMM5WkhT-IBq2Di3nelkJcLh6FnJCfSmdUr1LYCGwotFdYeNSahyUTi57yMiymAiD8g\/s931\/IMG-20230611-WA0097.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\n