Belaguntha,July 18 [UDN}:: Members of the Voice of Media organization submitted a memorandum addressed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister through the Bhanjanagar Sub-Collector on Thursday, raising several demands related to the welfare, security, and financial support of journalists.
The delegation included members of the Bhanjanagar and Belaguntha units of Voice of Media, along with members of the Belaguntha Press Club.
The memorandum highlighted several important demands, including the enactment of a separate protection law for journalists, provision of a monthly allowance, health and accident insurance coverage, immediate legal action in cases of attacks on journalists while performing their duties, strengthening of the Journalists’ Welfare Fund, and ensuring equal benefits for journalists working in rural areas.
Representatives of Voice of Media stated that journalists, as the fourth pillar of democracy, play a vital role in providing impartial and truthful information to society. Therefore, ensuring their security, dignity, and social protection is a primary responsibility of the government.
The organization expressed hope that the Odisha Government would positively consider these legitimate demands and take necessary measures at the earliest. It also warned that if the issues remain unresolved, Voice of Media would launch a larger statewide agitation in the coming days.
Among those present during the submission of the memorandum were Kartikeswar Pradhan from the Bhanjanagar unit, Prabhat Kumar Sahu, Suryanarayan Tripathy, Sadashiva Panigrahi, and Shibaram Choudhury from the Belaguntha unit, along with other members of Voice of Media.
State Executive Member Arun Kumar Gouda stated that if the demands are not fulfilled at the state level, the matter would soon be brought to the attention of the Prime Minister of India and the President of India as well.
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