Media professionals resolve to uphold freedom of independent journalism

Media professionals, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday, adopted a resolution to strive for upholding freedom of independent journalism as well as condemning violence faced by journalists at the workplace and in society, globally as well as within India.

At a panel discussion organized by the Indian Women's Press Corps to mark World Press Freedom Day, senior media professionals "expressed concern over the shrinking of spaces for the media", a statement said.

"They recognised that the challenges had become far more acute for media professionals in the era of neo-liberalisation" and expressed "concern over the violence and insecurity of employment faced by a large number of journalists and called upon the journalist community to take on these challenges collectively".

"Issues relating to the corporatisation of the media, the imposition of a certain kind of a discourse as well as challenges thrown up by the social media were also discussed," the IWPC statement said.

The panelists included senior columnist Neerja Choudhary; "Wire' Founder Editor Siddharth Varadarajan, 'Jansatta' Editor Mukesh Bharadwaj and RSTV CEO, Gurdeep Sappal. The meeting was presided by IWPC president Shobhna Jain.

The resolution was moved and adopted at the meeting.

"On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the meeting resolves to strive for upholding freedom of independent journalism in the interests of the creation of a just, fair, democratic and humane society.

"The meeting condemns a) the acts of violence faced by journalists at the workplace and in society, globally as well as within India; b) the deterioration in working conditions, unfair terms of contract and employment.

"It calls on journalists to come together as a collective to uphold their rights and freedoms. It calls upon the government to uphold the rule of law in media establishments and to take steps that guarantee social security, decent wages and ensure an environment where journalists can work in free and fair conditions in the interests of upholding democracy."

--IANS

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