Sunday, April 13, 2025
(By Ishan Rai)
Raising alarms over increasing corruption, favoritism, and unfulfilled governmental assurances, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya called upon journalists to take an active role in exposing such issues. Speaking as the Chief Guest at the National Union of Journalists (India) conference held in Hyderabad on Sunday, he compared corruption to a malignant disease threatening the nation.
He criticized the erosion of values in public life, including the rise of caste, communal, regional, and religious divisions. He urged the media to educate the public about these divisive trends. Furthermore, he emphasized the press’s duty to highlight when governments fall short on their promises and fail to implement welfare programs effectively. He encouraged scrutiny of initiatives meant to uplift the marginalized, poor, and underrepresented to ensure they reach their intended beneficiaries.
Dattatreya stressed that journalism should distinguish facts from opinions and adhere to neutrality and transparency. The authenticity of news reporting, he said, is crucial to maintaining public trust. Describing the media as an essential pillar of democracy, he insisted that journalists must be provided with adequate protection and security.
He also urged the government to take necessary steps toward improving the working conditions of media professionals, especially regarding fair wages, accommodation, and healthcare provisions.
NUJ(I) National President Shivaji Sarkar advocated for reviving and upgrading the Press Council of India into a Media Commission. Given the expanding influence of digital platforms, he said online journalists—such as those working with YouTube channels and web portals—should also be recognized under journalistic labor laws.
Sarkar also highlighted the increasing risks media professionals face and called for stronger safety frameworks. He encouraged journalists nationwide to stay vigilant amid changing media dynamics, where fundamental journalistic principles are often undermined.
NUJ(I) Secretary General Ravi Meenakshisundaram echoed the demand for a new wage board that encompasses all forms of journalism, integrating traditional and digital media into a unified structure.
Former NUJ(I) President Uppala Lakshman, Vice Presidents Sanjay Rai, Smt. Savita Kulakarni, and other key figures also addressed the gathering.
The two-day conference shed light on the challenges confronting modern journalism—from the disruptive influence of digital media on grassroots reporting to the urgent need to safeguard regional and vernacular news platforms. Senior editors, correspondents, and delegates from all over India exchanged insights and discussed how to uphold journalistic ethics in an ever-evolving media environment.