Hans news service

Wanaparthy:D Madhava Rao, the Wanaparthy district president of TUWJ-IJU, announced that a nationwide ‘Demands Day’ would be observed on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, to advocate for journalists’ rights, safety, and socio-economic welfare, in response to a call by the Indian Journalists Union (IJU). At a press conference held at the collectorate complex, he urged journalists across all district headquarters in Telangana to stage protests at Gandhi statues and subsequently submit representations to collectors, ministers, MPs, and MLAs.

Rao called upon journalists to participate in large numbers in the event here and ensure its success. He demanded a media commission to address changes in the media landscape and enactment of a special national law to ensure journalists’ safety. He called for the restoration of rights previously guaranteed by law regarding job security, service conditions, wages and grievance redressal mechanisms for journalists.

Rao demanded the Centre to constitute a wage board to ensure wages for the media staff that align with current cost of living. He urged the Telangana government to fulfil its election promise by sanctioning house-sites and houses to journalists, and to provide health cards and cashless treatment, like those extended to employees.

He requested the government to focus specifically on providing house-sites and healthcare to eligible journalists in the district, address issues related to accreditation, ID cards and amenities for performing duty.