IJU Demands Comprehensive Journalist Safety Law and Uniform Pension Scheme at National Executive Council Meeting

KalimNews, Siddharth Nagar, Uttar Pradesh , September 20, 2025 :  The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) concluded its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Siddharth Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, with an assertive call for the establishment of a Journalist Safety Law and a Uniform Pension Scheme to ensure the welfare and protection of journalists across India. The two-day meeting, which took place from September 18-19, 2025, saw active participation from delegates from various states in India, along with international representatives from the Nepal Press Union and the Bangladesh Manabadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF), reflecting strong global solidarity for the protection of press freedom.

In his presidential address, IJU President Geethartha Pathak emphasized the urgent need for legislative protection for journalists amidst growing threats of violence, harassment, and intimidation. He called for a robust Journalist Safety Law to shield reporters from these risks, stressing that such a law would safeguard the integrity of journalism as an essential pillar of democracy. Additionally, Pathak highlighted the importance of a Uniform Pension Scheme to provide financial security to journalists, especially those working in volatile conditions or on freelance contracts.

The meeting featured a series of key demands aimed at strengthening the rights of journalists in India:

1. Journalist Safety Law: The IJU called for the enactment of a comprehensive legal framework to safeguard journalists from violence, intimidation, and harassment while performing their duties.

2. Uniform Pension Scheme: The union demanded the implementation of a standardized pension scheme for journalists, ensuring that all journalists, regardless of their employment status, have access to financial security in their later years.

3. Amendment of Digital Laws: There was a strong call to revise repressive digital laws that threaten press freedom and journalists' rights, particularly in the context of the growing influence of social media platforms and the internet.

4. One-Year Roadmap: Pathak also unveiled a strategic roadmap for the IJU, aimed at addressing these pressing challenges. The roadmap includes the establishment of a National Legal Aid Cell to support journalists facing legal challenges, a Safety Helpline for immediate reporting of attacks on journalists, and the introduction of training and capacity-building programs to enhance the skills of journalists across the country. The roadmap also emphasizes the strengthening of international partnerships to foster global advocacy and solidarity for press freedom.

Pathak further stressed the importance of empowering journalists with the necessary tools, resources, and legal support to navigate the increasingly complex landscape of media work, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence and digital platforms posing new challenges to free speech and the press.

The IJU meeting was inaugurated by Shri Jagdambika Pal, the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and current Member of Parliament, who assured the delegates that he would raise the issues discussed during the meeting in Parliament. He expressed his commitment to advocating for the rights and safety of journalists at the national level, promising to work towards ensuring that their voices are heard in the legislative process.

Throughout the meeting, the IJU also reiterated its global solidarity with journalists worldwide, particularly those affected by conflicts, censorship, and suppression. The union expressed its unwavering commitment to defending press freedom on the global stage, reinforcing the idea that press freedom is not only crucial for a vibrant democracy but also for the safeguarding of human rights and the promotion of truth.

The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to strengthen the union and address the multifaceted challenges facing the journalism profession today. The IJU is determined to push for the implementation of these demands, believing that the protection of journalists' rights is integral to the health and functioning of democracy itself.