Kohima Press Club submits memorandum to CM Neiphiu Rio seeking pension scheme, subsidy enhancement, and regulation of press conference protocols.
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DIMAPUR — The Kohima Press Club (KPC) has written to Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister, drawing his attention to expedite the implementation of a pension scheme for journalists in Nagaland.
In a memorandum to the chief minister dated February 25, the KPC reiterated its earlier representation that, considering the demanding nature of journalism as a profession, the implementation of a pension scheme for journalists in the state is crucial towards ensuring financial security for journalists in their post-retirement period.
This would also be a significant step in acknowledging the vital contributions of the Fourth Estate to society, the press club said.
The KPC mentioned that almost all states, including neighbouring Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, have already had their journalists’ pension scheme in place since the 1990s, with the latest being in 2022 in Mizoram, where senior journalists are already enjoying the benefits of the scheme.
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Pointing out that the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) has already put up a proposal in this regard as per the press body’s earlier representations, the KPC appealed to the chief minister to look into the matter with urgency and take further necessary action at the earliest.
The KPC acknowledged the contributions Rio has made so far towards the welfare of the press fraternity in the state, including the permanent KPC building in the state capital, which is currently under construction. However, the press club stated that it would be remiss if it failed to raise other growing concerns that continue to confront the expanding media fraternity in Nagaland.
The press club highlighted the need for a periodical enhancement of the operational subsidy which is provided to journalists accredited under the Government of Nagaland. “We believe that the enhancement and periodical increments would provide substantial support to journalists who remain among the lowest-paid professionals in the private sector,” the KPC stated.
It also proposed that the coverage of the Journalists’ Welfare Fund should be extended to cover the dependents of working journalists, which it stated would provide vital support to those most dependent on journalists’ earnings.
Referring to the concern recently raised by the Mokokchung Press Club over the increasing public confusion between professional journalism and unregulated media content, the KPC asserted that it held similar concerns. It maintained that it is deeply disturbed at the way the rise of unverified social media content is creating confusion among the public while consuming news and also how it is affecting the very profession of journalists who go the extra mile in gathering news.
Further, the KPC urged for ensuring protocol in matters relating to the state government’s official press conferences and events, which it said would go a long way in streamlining the immediate aforementioned concerns as well.