In a major push for the welfare and empowerment of the fourth estate, a high-level delegation of the prominent media advocacy body Voice of Journalists called upon Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar at Lok Bhavan in Ranchi. Spearheaded by National President Devanand Sinha, the delegation engaged in a high-level dialogue to spotlight the ground-level challenges plaguing media personnel and pressed for immediate administrative action on long-pending welfare demands.The meeting commenced with the delegation according a warm welcome to the Governor, presenting him with traditional attire, a bouquet, and a commemorative memento.
Transitioning into formal deliberations, the leaders submitted a comprehensive memorandum detailing the precarious conditions under which journalists operate across the state. They emphasized that media workers act as a vital bridge between the administration and the public, tirelessly bringing critical public interest issues to light and disseminating governance policies even under severe, high-risk conditions. Despite playing this foundational role in sustaining democracy, reporters continue to grapple with a stark lack of institutional safeguards, including workplace safety, affordable housing, comprehensive health insurance, and educational support for their dependents.The memorandum laid out several urgent, core demands directed at securing the livelihoods and safety of journalists. Chief among these was the immediate enactment and implementation of a stringent Journalist Protection Act to shield media personnel from professional hazards and intimidation.
Additionally, the delegation strongly advocated for the allotment of residential plots or flats at subsidized rates to ensure housing security, fee waivers and scholarships for journalists’ children in schools and higher education institutions, and permanent arrangements for cashless health insurance covering media workers and their families.Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar gave a patient and attentive hearing to the delegation, acknowledging the gravity and legitimacy of the concerns raised. Demonstrating a positive and empathetic stance, the Governor assured the media representatives that these pressing issues would be looked into seriously.
He stated that appropriate consultations and recommendations would be forwarded to the state government to explore policy measures aimed at addressing these structural needs.The impactful delegation featured several key office-bearers alongside the National President, including National Organizing Secretary Sujit Sinha, National Treasurer Madhu Sinha, Jharkhand State Vice President Ashish Mishra, and Ranchi District President Chandra Prakash Rawat, alongside other prominent figures from the media fraternity.
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