Journalists Intensify Call for Protection Legislation at Aligarh Conference
Journalists gathered at a significant divisional-level conference in Aligarh on Thursday, where they strongly renewed their demands for the implementation of a comprehensive Journalist Protection Law in Uttar Pradesh and across the entire nation. The event, organized under the banner of the All India Journalists Safety Committee, brought together media professionals and officials to address the pressing issue of safety for reporters.
Key Participants and Organizational Goals
The conference was attended by prominent journalist Yogesh Kaushik, with assistant director of information Sandeep Singh presiding over the proceedings. Several distinguished speakers addressed the gathering, including Aligarh municipal commissioner Prem Prakash Meena, senior jail superintendent Vijendra Singh Yadav, AMU MOIC professor Vibha Sharma, PRO Umar Pirzada, Zeeshan Ahmed, Ozone City Media in-charge Vishal Singh, Ravi Gupta, and senior social worker Lalit Mohan Singh.
Programme convenor Shashi Gupta emphasized that the organization aims to provide a unified platform for journalists nationwide and actively push for the enforcement of protective legislation. Gupta specifically cited the successful implementation of such a law in Chhattisgarh in 2023 as a model that should be replicated across other states.
Growing Concerns About Journalist Safety
District president Akash Soni highlighted the alarming increase in incidents involving attacks, threats, and intimidation against journalists working in various regions. He stressed the urgent need for collective action at the grassroots level to address these security challenges effectively.
State coordinator for the Youth Wing, Khaliq Ansari, revealed that the committee is currently active in more than a dozen states and is diligently working to expand the Chhattisgarh protection model to other regions facing similar journalist safety issues.
Officials Recognize Journalists' Democratic Role
During the conference, Aligarh municipal commissioner Prem Prakash Meena, senior jail superintendent Vijendra Singh Yadav, and AMU MOIC professor Vibha Sharma all underscored the crucial role that journalists play in strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring transparent governance.
Chief speaker Rajnarayan Singh delivered a powerful address, noting that despite the growing challenges and risks faced by media professionals, fearless and responsible journalism remains absolutely essential for maintaining democratic accountability and safeguarding citizens' right to information.
The conference served as a platform for journalists to voice their concerns collectively while seeking concrete legislative solutions to protect media personnel from violence and intimidation in their line of duty.
