Setup 'media commission' to study status of media: APJU

Vijayawada, Apr 3 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Journalists Union (APJU) today urged the Centre to immediately constitute a 'Media Commission', on the lines of Press Commission, to study the status of the print and electronic media, as both had undergone a sea change in terms of working conditions and coverage.

Passing the resolution at the State Council meeting here, the Union also decided to request the state government to constitute a separate body which would look into the attacks on media personnel.

The resolution said a separate body, headed by a judicial officer, could be established to safeguard the Freedom of Press.

''Such a body would instill confidence among the press fraternity in the functioning of the government in protecting their interests'', the resolution added.

At the meeting, the APJU also demanded that state government should work out a pension scheme for journalists and non-journalists as a third benefit on the lines of Kerala, Goa, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

It also appealed to government to help the journalists, particularly in rural areas, by providing them with shelter at concessional rates in recognition of their notable services.

Discussing at length the contract system existing in the newspaper industry, the council said correspondents were used on 'hire and fire' basis and the conditions of the rural journalists were pathetic.

''Correspondents do not have any pay structure and only live on paltry amounts paid on the basis of stories filed by them. The government should protect the interests of the rural correspondents who become victims of ill-treatment,'' the resolution added.

The state council decided to hold the fifth state conference at Hyderabad in the first week of July.

UNI