People's Democracy

DUJ Demands CBI Enquiry Into UNI Sellout Bid

AN emergency meeting of the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) has called for a time-bound CBI enquiry into the spurious UNI deal initiated by India’s Murdoch Subhash Chandra. It has also demanded immediate announcement of interim relief for the entire newspaper industry and an end to increasing unfair labour practises.

The meeting also called for the constitution of a media commission on the lines of the Press Commission, appointed 40 years ago, to look at the entire media scene which has undergone a sea change due to technology and globalisation.

A press statement by the DUJ president S K Pande said that the Working Journalists Act had to be suitably amended to ensure fair wages and a free press. Further it was of the view that non-implementation of wage boards and unfair labour practices be made a cognizable offence.

The DUJ also announced a convention of journalists and press workers on May Day eve called by the DUJ. The meeting is expected to finalise a declaration and action plan, besides observing the 58th anniversary of the organisation. Leaders of various trade unions, newspaper unions parliamentarians and journalists will address the open air convention, besides writers and artists.