SHAFQAT SHAHEEN SHEIKH
In Democratic India , Press is called as 4th piller of Democracy and every citizen of India is having right of freedom to speech and expression under Article 19 of Indian Constitution .
Under Article 19 , everyone who is residing in India is having right to express his views and ideas as per constitutional rights. But Unfortunately “Press” in India is losing freedom of speech as every upcoming day Journalist and Reproters are begin harassed , threatened and abused by corrupt mafies not to act tough aganist their corrupt practices .
Everyone in society is watching his / her intrest toward poor masses , someone in society appericiated his/her work and corrupt mafies always criticise his / her working culture as the Journalist is acting tough against his corrupt practices .
In India Journalists are facing violent threats or attacks for their work . Journalist working in inter district and state are at risk who dares to speak truth and raise voice through print and electronic media . Reporter’s of small newspapers are facing hardship as they are not having any special protection and are rasing voice of poor masses to become state and national level Reporter of print or electronic media.
Murdering people for doing this valuable job is particularly despicable. And it came at a time when the president routinely vilifies reporters for doing their jobs. In the past, the country’s leaders honored in word and deed the media’s crucial role in society.
The Journalists across whole India are always facing continuous threats from the corrupt mafias in the locality and political pressure.
It is time that working journalists are not respected during every function being organised by adminstration . On the occasion of Republic Day celebration it was very unfortunate moment for journalists that on the day when constitution of India was signed and stamped and even press was declared 4th piller of Democracy .
Since from 1950 scores of journalists lost their lives and respect as the adminstration are hand in gloves with corrupt mafia . Being a working journalists in field , I am ashamed that adminstration forgot me on occasion of National Festival and elsewhere adminstration failed to present appreciation certificate to one of dedication and honest journalist who always remain active in public and adminstrative sector despite appreciated those who have not even raised a single issue in media since long .
It was occasion that when adminstration needs to raise issue calls a press conference or press meet , but have they paid a single penny to those who visit to attend press meet are these journalists recieving monthly salary or anyother income . A working journalist was ashamed that adminstration must fecilitiate the working journalists and provide them some financial help soas the profession can be save and respected otherwise there would be blackmailing and corruption on peak and no-one can remove this menance from society .
On 26 Jan 2019 Kashmir based journalists were denied to cover the celebration of Republic Day despite they were having issued pass by concerned authorities .
Once again democracy was murdered as the working journalists were not allowed . If happening so with a person who is having dignified profession that what would happen with a common man . Few days back some journalists recieved pellets when they were covering protests and encounter sites .
“The Washington Post writes the Declaration of the Duties and Rights of a Journalist”
In order to carry out their journalistic duties in an independent manner, and in accordance with required quality standards, journalists must be able to count on general conditions adequate to the exercise of their profession.
“DECLARATION OF DUTIES”
The journalist who gathers, selects, edits, interprets and comments on information is ruled by general principles of fairness in his or her honest treatment of sources (the people with whom he or she is talking) and the public.
‘”To seek out the truth, in the interests of the public’s right to know, whatever the consequences to him- or herself. To defend freedom of information, freedom of commentary and criticism, and the independence and dignity of the journalistic profession. Not to publish information, documents, images or sound recordings of which the origin is unknown to the journalist. Not to suppress information or any essential elements of a story. Not to misrepresent any text, document, image or sound recording, nor people’s expressed opinions. If information is unconfirmed to clearly say so. To indicate when photographic and/or sound material has been combined to make a montage. Not to use dishonest methods to obtain information, recordings, images or documents. Not to manipulate them, or have them manipulated by a third party with a view to falsification. To prohibit plagiarism in not passing off the work or ideas of others as one’s own. To rectify any published information that is revealed to be factually incorrect. To respect professional secrecy and not reveal the source of any information obtained in confidence. To respect peoples’ privacy insofar as the public interest does not demand otherwise. To disregard anonymous or unfounded accusations. In respecting human dignity, the journalist must avoid any allusion by text, image or sound to a person’s ethnic or national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation as well as to any illness or physical or mental handicap that could be discriminatory in character. The reporting of war, acts of terrorism, accidents and catastrophes by means of text, image and sound should respect the victims’ suffering and the feelings of their loved ones. Not to accept any advantage nor any promise that could limit his or her professional independence or expression of opinion. To avoid as journalists any form of commercial advertising; and never to accept conditions laid down by advertisers directly or indirectly. To take journalistic directives only from designated editorial superiors; and to respect those directives only when they are not contrary to this Declaration”‘.
“DECLARATION OF RIGHTS”
Full respect by journalists of the duties articulated above requires that they enjoy, at the minimum .
“‘Free access to all sources of information and the right to investigate without impediment anything that is in the public interest. Public or private confidentiality can only be invoked against the journalist in exceptional circumstances and with the provision of clearly-defined reasons. The right not to act in any way nor express any opinion that is contrary to professional rules or personal conscience. As a result, journalists should not suffer any prejudice. The right to refuse any directive or interference that is contrary to the general policy of the organisation with which he or she is collaborating. This policy must be communicated in writing before the journalist’s employment. It cannot be modified or revoked unilaterally under pain of breach of contract. The right to transparency as to the ownership of the company for which the journalist works. The right of a member of an editorial team to be informed in time, and to be heard before, any decision that affects the future of the company. In particular, members of the editorial staff must be informed and heard before final decisions determining the composition or organisation of the editorial department. The right to adequate and continuous professional training. The right to benefit from work conditions guaranteed by a collective agreement, including the right to be active in professional organisations without suffering discrimination. The right to benefit from an individual employment contract guaranteeing material and moral security. In particular, an appropriate remuneration – corresponding to the journalist’s function, responsibilities and social role – should ensure his or her economic independence”‘.
Journalists who are worthy of this title accept as their duty a strict adherence to the principles of this declaration. While recognizing the laws of each country, they only accept in professional questions the judgement of their colleagues, the Press Council or similar, legitimate organizations determining professional ethics as they reject any interference by the state or any other authority.
Strengthening the 4th piller of democracy and supporting Article 19 of Indian Constitution , State and district administration have to provide security to every journalists and social RTI activists who dares to expose the mafias and corrupt practices of officials through print and electronic media.
In Jammu and Kashmir , many Journalists , Reporter’s and other RTI activists are being harrased and facing threats from corrupt officials and politicians and creating their pressure on journalists and reporters , they leave no stone unturns to tourture his / her family by different ways .
Sometimes decision are taken in favor of corrupt mafias and officers by creating political pressure upon administration and investigating agencies.
One who is loyal toward his /her profession and never afraid of loosing life but still need support so that a journalist may serve society by presenting the truth in front of society through print and electronic media .
{ The author is Freelance JournalistColumnist and Human Right Activist from Kishtwar Jammu and Kashmir and can be reached at shafqatshaheensheikh@gmail.com , 09419974577 , 09018920786 } .
