Indian Federation of Working Journalists - IFWJ

Indian Federation of Working Journalists - IFWJ An organization of journalists in India engaged in raising their professional and economic standards

15/09/2025

IFWJ Urges the Government of Nepal to Take Action Against Those Assaulting Journalists
New Delhi, September 17. The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has urged the Indian government to persuade the Government of Nepal to take effective measures to stop targeted attacks on journalists, especially Indian journalists reporting on recent violence in the country. A video of an Indian journalist has now gone viral, showing him being attacked by protesters. What started as a youth-led demonstration in Nepal has escalated into a campaign aimed at the free press and educational institutions, as members and supporters of various political parties have hijacked the protests to settle scores and incite violence.
In a statement, IFWJ Secretary General Parmanand Pandey said that troublemakers are organising a series of violent attacks, particularly against media outlets known for their independent journalism and anti-corruption coverage. Despite the increasing threats, state agencies have yet to respond with adequate action, raising concerns about the rule of law and press freedom in Nepal.
The deliberate targeting of the media and education sectors is seen as an attack not only on individual institutions but also on Nepal’s democratic values and constitutional freedoms.
The protests erupted after the government banned 26 social media platforms — including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook — for failing to register with Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology by a set deadline.

26/08/2025

IFWJ Expresses Deep Concern over Brutal Attacks on Journalists in Bangladesh
The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has expressed deep concern over brutal physical attacks leading to the death of journalists in neighbouring Bangladesh. Over the past one and a half months, numerous journalists have been
killed, and hundreds have been injured. The body of veteran journalist Bibhuranjan Sarkar was recovered from the Meghna River in Munshiganj District, central Bangladesh, after he faced recurring intimidation by local authorities. Another journalist, Mehedi Hasan of Dhaka Times, was killed on July 18 after being shot while covering a clash between law enforcement officials and anti-government protesters in the southern Jatra Bari area of Dhaka. On the same day, a reporter for Ekattor TV was wounded in police gunfire.
Bangladesh's justice system is weak due to heavy political influence. There are also other barriers, such as legal costs, which many journalists and their families cannot afford. Investigations lack impartiality; everything is politically influenced, and the situation is worsening. The IFWJ has sent a letter to the Bangladesh government urging steps to ensure the safety and security of journalists.

20/08/2025

Circular from New Delhi, Secretary General’s Office, IFWJ Headquarters: 21.08.2025
Relaunching 'The Working Journalists'
We are excited to announce the relaunch of our historic journal, 'The Working Journalists', which will, in all likelihood, begin publication from October. This journal, once a trusted voice for media professionals, will again feature news and articles focused on the vital issues facing our industry.
For years, the integrity of our organisation and our movement was undermined. A former leader, who prioritised the interests of media barons over the rights of employees, weakened our collective strength. This individual’s actions—including writing letters against our organisation to the Press Council of India and working to dismantle our unity—have had a damaging impact. This has left media employees vulnerable to dismissals and exploitation by management, with little support from the government. The fragility of our movement is a direct result of this betrayal.
Defending and Expanding the Working Journalists Act
As you know, the government has abolished two key labour laws: the Working Journalists Act and the Industrial Disputes Act. Their provisions have been scattered across four new labour codes (Code on Wages, Code on Social Security, Industrial Relations Code, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code) that fail to adequately protect the interests of media employees.
Our top priority must be to fight for the reinstatement of the Working Journalists Act. We must ensure this act is comprehensive and covers all media employees, regardless of platform—print, electronic, web, digital, and social media. In the face of widespread layoffs and a lack of support from both management and government, unity and persistent struggle are our only recourse. Unlike those who waste time demanding empty titles like "the fourth pillar of the Constitution," we must focus on tangible action that genuinely empowers journalists and upholds the integrity of our profession.
Securing a New Office Space
We are urgently seeking a modern office space for the IFWJ, something we have lacked for many years due to the disruptive actions of a former leader and his associates. We request that all state units and their leaders assist in this effort.
Our IFWJ Vice-President, Hemant Tiwari, has been a strong advocate for a new office. While his recent health challenges have limited his involvement, we are confident he will soon return with his full energy to help lead this initiative.
National Council Meeting
We've received invitations to hold the National Council Meeting in two different locations: Bhopal and Trichy, Tamil Nadu. The meeting in Bhopal will be organised by our MP Unit Chief, Dinesh Nigam. The meeting in Trichy will be organised by the Secretary, South, K. Asadullah, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu unit. We're still working to finalise the dates and will share more details soon.
Parmanand Pandey
Secretary-General: IFWJ

17/08/2025

IFWJ Asks Sahara Management to Address the Demand for its Media Employees

The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has expressed solidarity with the media employees of Sahara India Limited, who have been protesting for nearly a month. They are on a
sit-in strike outside the main gate of the building in NOIDA. It is most
regrettable that instead of resolving the employees' issues, the management is
resorting to dishonest and ugly measures to suppress their protest. These
employees have been receiving irregular and significantly reduced wages for
many months, but, in fact, for many years.
In a statement, the IFWJ Secretary-General Parmanand Pandey has called on the management to make immediate payments of all owed wages to employees who have endured severe hardships over many years. IFWJ has also urged the appropriate Government to take prompt and effective action to address the employees' demands. It is truly a very sad reflection on the
part of the Labour Department of NOIDA, it has not yet acted to help support
the employees. The IFWJ has warned that if the government and management do not
wake up from their slumber, the struggle will be carried to other parts of the
country.

03/07/2025

Confederation of Newspapers and News Agencies to Struggle for Stricter Safety and Security Laws for Employees
The Confederation of Newspapers and News Agencies employees, in a meeting held at Udaipur (Rajasthan) on 29 June 2025, have decided to campaign for the enactment of legislation ensuring the safety and security of employees in the media industry. The question of whether a change in an organisation's ownership can lead to mass employee retrenchment is a crucial concern for employees. Under Indian law, the process is closely regulated, primarily by the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, and subject to judicial review. However, in the case of PTI, India’s premier news agency, the management retrenched nearly three hundred employees without proper government approval and without settling employee dues.
Meanwhile, a similar issue has arisen at another news agency, UNI, where the new management, the owners of the Statesman, has taken control. It must be noted that Statesman is itself a financially struggling newspaper, but it is eyeing the land owned by UNI, valued at hundreds of crores. The management has also dismissed old employees without paying their dues. Similar incidents have occurred at Hindustan Times and Sahara Newspapers, where workers have been left stranded. Due to the lax enforcement of retrenchment laws, workers are suffering, and regrettably, the government remains a silent spectator.
At the core of this issue lies Section 25FF of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. This provision states that upon transfer of ownership or management of an undertaking, every 'workman' who has been in continuous service for at least one year is entitled to notice and compensation as if they have been retrenched. This involves a one-month notice (or pay in lieu) and retrenchment compensation equal to fifteen days' average pay for each completed year of continuous service.
The Consent Conundrum
A significant point of legal debate has been whether employee consent is mandatory for their transfer to the new management. Rulings of the Courts emphasise that employees cannot be regarded as chattel and that their consent is essential, but in some of them it has been held that if the conditions of the proviso to Section 25FF are satisfied, a formal consent may not be necessary for the transfer of 'workmen'. For employees not classified as 'workmen' (such as managerial or administrative staff), their employment contracts primarily govern their rights and the need for consent for transfer.
Bulk Retrenchment: Not an Unrestricted Power
Even if a new owner decides against retaining the existing workforce and opts for retrenchment, it is not a straightforward process, especially for a large group of employees. The following legal principles and procedures apply:
"Last In, First Out" Principle: In cases of retrenching workmen within a specific category, Section 25G of the Industrial Disputes Act mandates following the "last in, first out" rule. Prior Government Permission for Larger Establishments: For industries employing 100 or more workers externally (the new threshold in the Labour Code is 300, which is yet to be implemented), Section 25N of the Act demands prior approval from the appropriate government before retrenching any workmen. The government will assess whether the reasons for retrenchment are genuine and adequate, considering the interests of the workers and other relevant factors. Applying for bulk retrenchment under these circumstances undergoes rigorous scrutiny, yet most managements have bypassed this requirement.
Bona Fide Reasons: Any retrenchment, whether individual or collective, must be for honest reasons. But who cares for the plight of the workers?
Due to these industry conditions, the confederation has decided to launch a nationwide campaign. This decision was approved by the confederation leadership, consisting of President Shri Ras Bihari, General Secretary Shri MS Yadav, and Vice President Shri Anil Gupta. Representatives from other organisations, such as the IFWJ, including Shri Hemant Tiwari and Parmanand Pandey, as well as from UNI (Shri ML Joshi), PTI (Shri Bhuwan Chaube), and the Indian Express (Shri CS Naidu), attended the meeting. The specific dates will be confirmed at a future meeting in New Delhi.
Parmanand Pandey
Secretary General: IFWJ

19/06/2025

Media's freedom is a fundamental right and an essential part of the constitution; any campaign to elevate it to the status of a fourth pillar is sheer absurdity.

Some journalists and their so-called organisations seem to possess an abysmally low or almost non-existent understanding of the Indian constitution. They are advocating for the media to be granted the status of a fourth pillar, akin to the Legislature, the Judiciary, and the Executive. The notion of the press as the "fourth pillar" of democracy is widely acknowledged, particularly in democratic nations, though it is not a formal designation recognised across all countries. It serves as a metaphor for the press's role in holding power accountable and informing the public.
In India, the press is often described as the fourth pillar and is constitutionally protected; however, it operates within a framework of laws that balance freedom with other societal values, such as national integrity. While freedom of the press is explicitly provided under the First Amendment of the US Constitution, in India, it is implied under Article 19(1)(a). Hence, the freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right available to every citizen, regardless of their level of education or status.
In this context, a reference can be made to Phoolan Devi, known as the bandit queen, who later became a member of Parliament. She applied to publish a newspaper from her native district of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. The District Magistrate refused to forward her application to the Registrar of Newspapers of India on the grounds of her illiteracy. The matter escalated to the appellate authority, the Press Council of India. The then-Chairman, Justice P. B. Sawant, summoned the District Magistrate, who appeared along with an Advocate, stating how an illiterate person could serve as the printer, publisher, and editor of a newspaper. Justice Sawant asked whether it was expected that an editor should know everything if a newspaper carried diverse items such as business, sports, politics, crime, and education. The District Magistrate responded that this could be handled by other journalists employed by the newspaper, to which Justice Sawant pointed out that, similarly, Phoolan Devi could employ journalists for her publication. Ultimately, she obtained the necessary permissions to launch the newspaper. This exemplifies the beauty of the Indian Constitution.
Therefore, those demanding that the media be designated as the fourth estate are oblivious to the fact that such inclusion in the fundamental rights ensures full freedom for every journalist. Thus, the demand to establish it as a fourth pillar is not only absurd but impossible, as the basic structure of the constitution cannot be altered, as decided by the Supreme Court in the Keshavanand Bharti case.

11/06/2025

PRESS COUNCIL MUST BE DISBANDED FOR CONSTITUTING A MEDIA COUNCIL

The Press Council of India is a wholly redundant body. It is akin to a crowing hen, which is neither fit for God nor men and becomes a burden on the exchequer. It allows for self-regulation, which is often disregarded rather than adhered to. Section 14 of the Press Council Act stipulates three types of ludicrous punishments. The first is a warning; the second is a reprimand/admonishment, and the third is censure after conducting an inquiry. There is practically no material difference among all three so-called punishments.
Additionally, the Council can require newspapers to publish details of inquiries against them if it deems it necessary for the public interest. However, it cannot investigate matters that are already pending in a court of law, and its decisions cannot be challenged in court. The PCI primarily functions as a moral watchdog, ensuring that the press operates with integrity and accountability. It has no jurisdiction over the electronic or internet media.
When the Press Council was enacted on the recommendations of the first Press Commission, which was headed by Justice GS Rajyadhyaksha, who was then a judge of the Bombay High Court. The First Press Commission of India was appointed in September 1952 and submitted its report in 1954, and in the next year, i.e. 1955, the Working Journalist Act was enacted.

Other Members of the First Press Commission
The other members of the Commission included Dr. C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar, a distinguished lawyer, administrator, and politician, who played a significant role in the Madras Presidency and Travancore, serving as the Dewan of Travancore from 1936 to 1947. Acharya Narendra Dev, an eminent academician and a socialist leader, who had also served as the Vice-Chancellor of the Banaras Hindu University and the Lucknow University. Dr. Zakir Hussain, an academician and later the President of India, Dr VKRV Rao, who was the founder of the Delhi School of Economics and subsequently became a Central Minister, P. H. Patwardhan, a key leader in the Marathwada Liberation Movement, which played a crucial role in the integration of the region into India after independence. Shri Patwardhan also struggled against the Nizam of Hyderabad, which led to its annexation in 1948, Tribhuvan Narayan Singh, a journalist, a veteran freedom fighter, and a well-known politician, later became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Jaipal Singh Munda was an influential Indian politician, a writer, and sportsman, a member of the Constituent Assembly of India who passionately advocated for the rights of tribal communities. He also captained the Indian hockey team to its first-ever Olympic gold medal in 1928. J. Natarajan, known for his work on the history of Indian journalism, was also a member of the first Press Commission. The other two members were A.R. Bhat, an academician and a scientist, and M. Chelapathi Rau, an eminent journalist and the then Editor of the National Herald. The Commission made several significant recommendations that laid the groundwork for the regulation and development of the press in independent India.
Establishment of a Press Council was a crucial recommendation of the First Press Commission
The Commission suggested instituting a statutory Press Council as a quasi-judicial body to safeguard the freedom of the press, maintain and enhance journalistic standards, and formulate a professional code of conduct. The Press Council of India was subsequently established in 1966 based on this recommendation, but unfortunately, it failed to achieve its objectives.
Appointment of a Registrar of Newspapers for India
The Commission recommended the creation of a Registrar of Newspapers to maintain detailed records of newspapers and periodicals, verify circulation claims, and track ownership patterns. The RNI was established in 1956 and has since outlived its utility. Introduction of a Price-Page Schedule, which is now meaningless in the current digital media landscape, was also recommended by it.
Enactment of the Working Journalist Act
The Commission recommended measures to ensure fair wages and better working conditions for journalists, leading to the Working Journalists and other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Services) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955. Given the unprecedented growth of electronic and internet media, print media has been relegated to an insignificant position. Furthermore, it has now been subsumed in the four labour codes.
Press Council of India Needs to be Disbanded
Therefore, the very establishment of the Press Council of India was meaningless and questionable from the very beginning. However, its worthlessness has now accentuated to an extent that it needs to be disbanded immediately, and a Media Council representative in character and consisting of eminent journalists, jurists, trade unionists, conscientious public figures, and parliamentarians, should be enacted and constituted to serve as the watchdog of the media in the truest sense of the term.

Parmanand Pandey
Secretary-General: IFWJ
(The writer has served as a member of the Press Council of India for two terms, six years, in the early nineties)

30/05/2025

हिंदी पत्रकारिता दिवस का आयोजन
नई दिल्ली, 30 मई - इंडियन फेडरेशन ऑफ वर्किंग जर्नलिस्ट्स (आईएफडब्ल्यूजे) ने हिंदी पत्रकारिता दिवस के अवसर पर इस बात पर जोर दिया है कि आने वाले दिनों में देश में हिंदी पत्रकारिता नई ऊंचाइयों को छुएगी। हिंदी पत्रकारिता के विकास से अन्य सभी भाषाओं की पत्रकारिता को नई गति मिलेगी।
हिंदी पत्रकारिता के पितामह पंडित जुगल किशोर शुक्ल को इस बात के लिए याद किया जाता है कि उन्होंने लगभग दो सौ साल पहले कलकत्ता (जिसे अब कोलकाता के नाम से जाना जाता है) जैसे गैर-हिंदी भाषी शहर में पहला हिंदी समाचार पत्र उदंड मार्तंड शुरू किया था।
सभी वक्ताओं ने कहा कि इंटरनेट और आधुनिक तकनीक के कारण प्रिंट मीडिया का दायरा सिमटता जा रहा है, जबकि फेसबुक और यूट्यूब जैसे सोशल मीडिया प्लेटफॉर्म का दायरा कल्पना से परे बढ़ता जा रहा है। इसलिए पत्रकारों को इन साधनों का भरपूर उपयोग करना चाहिए। आधुनिक मीडिया रोजगार के सीमित अवसर प्रदान करेगा, और नई पीढ़ी को अपने सामने आने वाली चुनौतियों के अनुकूल ढलने के लिए हमेशा सतर्क रहना होगा।
आईएफडब्ल्यूजे ने प्रेस परिषद के स्थान पर एक मीडिया परिषद की स्थापना की भी मांग की, जो पत्रकारों की विश्वसनीयता और आर्थिक बेहतरी सुनिश्चित करने के लिए एक निगरानी संस्था के रूप में कार्य करे।
परमानन्द पांडे
महासचिव: आईएफडब्ल्यूजे

30/05/2025

IFWJ organises Hindi Patrakarita Diwas
New Delhi, 30 May – The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has emphasised, on the occasion of Hindi Patrakarita Diwas, that in the days to come, Hindi journalism will achieve new heights in the country. The growth of Hindi journalism will provide a fresh impetus to journalism in all other languages.
The father of Hindi journalism, Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla, was fondly remembered by the IFWJ for having started the first Hindi newspaper, Udand Martand, nearly two hundred years ago in a non-Hindi-speaking city like Calcutta (now known as Kolkata).
All the speakers shared the view that the scope of the print medium will shrink due to the internet and modern technology, while social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube will expand beyond imagination. Therefore, communicators and journalists must utilise these tools to the fullest. Modern media will offer limited employment opportunities, and the new generation will need to remain ever vigilant to adapt to the challenges they face.
The IFWJ also demanded the establishment of a Media Council to replace the Press Council, serving as a watchdog to ensure the credibility and economic betterment of journalists.
Parmanand Pandey
Secretary General: IFWJ

12/05/2025

IFWJ Condoles the Death of its Former President K Vikram Rao

New Delhi, 12 May. About fifteen days before his 87th birthday on 29th May, the former President of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists, Shri K Vikram Rao, passed away in a hospital, where he had been admitted for respiratory issues. He was a prolific journalist and wrote in both Hindi and English with equal ease. He was the son of K Rama Rao, who was also an eminent journalist and the founding editor of the National Herald. Shri K Vikram Rao maintained good relationships with politicians of all hues and colours. He is survived by his wife, a medico, two sons, a daughter and grandchildren.

He represented the IFWJ in the Press Council of India for two terms and was a member of the Manisana and Majithia Wage Boards for newspaper and news agency employees. IFWJ President B V Mallikarjunaih has deeply condoled the passing away of Shri Rao on behalf of the organisation as well as on his own.

Parmanand Pandey

Secretary General: IFWJ

03/05/2025

New Delhi. May 3. The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) joins the community of journalists around the world in celebrating World Press Freedom Day, which has been observed every year since 1993. It emphasises the need for a free, independent, and pluralistic press as essential to democracy and development.
The theme for 2025 is ‘Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media’, focusing on how AI is reshaping journalism in terms of both opportunities and risks. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of a free press in democracy, transparency, and accountability, while also honouring journalists who have lost their lives or faced persecution while reporting.
World Press Day is observed at the call of the United Nations General Assembly. UNESCO also marks World Press Freedom Day each year by bringing together media professionals, press freedom organisations, and UN agencies to assess the state of press freedom worldwide and discuss solutions for addressing challenges.
IFWJ President BV Mallikarjunaih and Secretary General Parmanand Pandey have lauded this year‘s theme on Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is poised to bring about unimaginable changes in journalism across genres.

01/05/2025

IFWJ Demands for Expansion and Retention of the Working Journalists Act

New Delhi, 1 May. The Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has called upon all of the country's trade unions to work unitedly to protect workers' rights. The Federation has demanded that both central and state governments ensure that labour laws are enforced to safeguard the interests of media employees.

On the occasion of May Day, IFWJ reiterated here today that the wages of media employees have not been revised for almost one and a half decades; therefore, a new wage board should be established without any further delay. The Federation has also demanded that instead of repealing the W J Act, it should be retained, with its ambit and scope expanded. The Working Journalists Act is sui generis, as it cannot be compared to workers in other sectors.

IFWJ’s Secretary General Parmanand Pandey has asked the Central government to include all media employees from electronic and web media, in addition to print media, under the Working Journalists Act to ensure that their wages and benefits are protected. Similar demands were made in a meeting held in Bangalore under the leadership of IFWJ President B.V. Mallikarjunaih and Additional Secretary General Madan Gowda, and also in Lucknow, which was organised by IFWJ Vice President Hemant and Secretary Siddharth Kalhans.

Parmanand Pandey

Secretary General: IFWJ

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B-1, Vikram Nagar, Feroze Shah Kotla, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
Delhi
110002

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9868553507

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