State-Level Stir Planned for Rural Journalists’ Rights: WJI Leaders

NEWS CHARIOT:-The Working Journalists of India (WJI), affiliated with BMS, announced a state-wide movement demanding fair wages and essential facilities for rural journalists across Telangana. WJAI Vice President Taduru Karunakar and General Secretary Sivanadri Pramod Kumar made this announcement at a preparatory meeting held in Janagam, chaired by Warangal WJI Convener Puli Sharath Kumar.

Speaking at the event, the leaders highlighted the severe exploitation faced by rural journalists, describing them as the backbone of the media industry who are being forced to work without pay and stripped of basic labor rights. While unorganized sector workers enjoy minimum wages, PF, and ESI benefits, rural journalists are denied these, they said.

The leaders strongly criticized media houses for turning journalists into “profit tools,” burdening them with unrealistic circulation and advertisement targets. In addition to unpaid labor, they are also pressured during festivals and events to meet “special targets,” causing extreme financial and mental stress.

They alleged that managements are even misusing government-issued accreditations to recover pending dues from reporters, and many outlets have not implemented the statutory wage board recommendations. Except for one or two publications, most media organizations in Telangana have failed to provide ID cards or honor the wage agreements.

The WJI also revealed alarming statistics: over 500 journalists have died since 2014, mostly due to heart attacks, COVID, accidents, and liver-related ailments. These deaths, they said, reflect the mounting pressure and financial burden on journalists, especially in rural areas.

They blamed the condition on the failure of existing journalist unions and the lack of political will to enforce labor protections in the media sector. Citing a 2017 Supreme Court ruling that mandated wage board benefits even for contract workers, they urged the government and media owners to comply.

Calling for unity, the leaders said the time has come for rural journalists to rise, organize, and fight collectively for their rights, dignity, and survival.

#RuralJournalists #JournalistRights #MediaMovement #TelanganaNews #PressFreedom #SupportJournalists #WageJustice #StopExploitation #FairPayForJournalists #MentalHealthInMedia #EnforceWageBoard