Sudden closure of media houses in Assam render 100s jobless

http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/sudden-closure-of-media-houses-in-north-east-render-hundreds-jobless
Guwahati, 28 May 2015: A prominent news channel of north east India, Focus NE (previously known as NE TV) was officially closed down on Tuesday at Guwahati, Assam. Several media organisations like Electronic Media Forum Assam (EMFA) has expressed concerns over the sudden closure and urged the management to compensate its employees as per their entitlements. Launched in March 2004, this was the first satellite news channel of north east India delivering news in 16 north-eastern languages and served to nearly 50 million people. EMFA apprehended that the news channel may be re-launched in a different name and in that case, urged the management to continue the employment of the present staff.

The local news channels in Assam and in north east India play an important role in exposing the human rights violations, corruptions and educate people with timely information and knowledge. However, livelihood issues of the journalists in the region are often ignored and neglected by the media houses and government as well. The latest closure is just another example of the job insecurity of media personnel in Assam.

Last year, Sangbad Lahari, a Bengali daily published from Guwahati and Shillong, was closed down from April 1, 2014 rendering over 50 direct and 100 indirect employees jobless. Four media houses have closed down in last two years resulting in around 2000 unemployed media personnel. Sakaal Bela, a Bengali daily, and Seven Sisters’ Post, an English daily, were closed down following the collapse of Kolkata-based Saradha Group of Companies, which owned both the media outlets. Prime News – a satellite news channel based in Guwahati, initially owned by Jiban Surakhya Group and Dainik Pratibimba, an Assamese daily owned by RB Publications – were closed down last year.

Media Watch organisation in Assam has expressed concern over the appalling working condition, low wages and job insecurity in the media industry. Assam has experienced an increase in local news channels in last few years but working condition of the media professionals remains abysmal. There is no fixed working time and many end up working 12-15 hours a day while salary paid is minimal with no health or accident insurance. The All Assam Media Employees Federation (AAMEF) has addressed matters concerning livelihood of media professionals in north east India from time to time. AAMEF has also expressed serious concern over frequent sudden closure of media houses.

Journalists often complained of physical attack in the region. On April 21, 2015, Arunachal Pradesh based journalist and the editor of Arunachal Front, Mr. Pradeep Kumar Behera, was attacked by miscreants at Naharlagun near Itanagar, capital of Arunachal Pradesh. Again on 22 May, 2015, a Guwahati based scribe Mr. Mukut Roy of vernacular daily Dainik Agradoot was physically assaulted while he was working on an assignment in the city. Several incidents of assault of journalists remained unresolved in north east India.

India has improved its Press Freedom Index from 140 to 136 this year as per the survey conducted by a civil society organisation called Reporters without Borders. However, working condition of journalists requires much more improvement. The Universal Periodic Review of India’s human rights situation conducted by the UN Human Rights Council has suggested improvement of the working condition of journalists. It is high time that the governments must take measures to ensure a safe working atmosphere for journalists and make special provisions for social benefits like health and life insurance. Government of India must pass a special law to strengthen protection for journalists.
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The writer is a human rights activist and journalist based in Guwahati.

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