Ashok Kumar Nirbhay
New Delhi. Discussions among journalist organizations across the country have intensified once again over the issues of press freedom and the rights of journalists. In this context, the World Journalists Federation has begun preparations to organize a national-level protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to highlight the problems faced by journalists and issues related to their welfare.
In this regard, an important meeting was held on March 12, 2026, at the Circuit House in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The meeting was attended by office bearers of the organization from Uttar Pradesh, journalists from different districts, and the National General Secretary of the World Journalists Federation, Mrs. Geeta Shukla. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on several issues concerning journalists, including their safety, protection of their rights, social security, expansion of welfare schemes for journalists, and the professional challenges faced by those working in media organizations.
The journalists present at the meeting emphasized that a free and independent press plays a crucial role in strengthening democracy. Therefore, ensuring the freedom and safety of journalists is extremely important. At the international level as well, press freedom is considered a fundamental pillar of democratic systems. For this reason, World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on May 3 to highlight the importance of independent media and the need to ensure the safety of journalists worldwide.
During the meeting, National General Secretary Geeta Shukla stated that journalists working in different states of the country face numerous challenges. Many of them often work under conditions of economic insecurity, institutional pressure, limited resources, and security risks. Considering these circumstances, she said that there is a strong need for a national platform that can effectively raise issues related to the protection of journalists’ rights and their welfare.
Keeping this objective in mind, the organization has decided to hold a national-level protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Journalists from different states across the country are expected to participate in the proposed demonstration, which aims to bring national attention to the concerns and challenges faced by the media community.
The meeting also discussed the need to implement social security measures for journalists more effectively, including health facilities, insurance coverage, and the strengthening of journalist welfare funds. Several journalists suggested that the organizational structure should be strengthened at the district level so that the issues of journalists can be raised more effectively at the local level as well.
In this context, discussions were also held regarding the establishment of a district-level office of the World Journalists Federation in Prayagraj. Participants in the meeting expressed the view that such steps would help the organization expand its reach and provide better support to journalists at the grassroots level.
The journalists present at the meeting said that the upcoming protest at Jantar Mantar will serve as a platform to raise journalists’ concerns at the national level and to demand concrete steps from the government and concerned authorities. They also decided to reach out to journalists from various districts and states and encourage them to participate in the movement.
According to the office bearers of the World Journalists Federation, the proposed protest is not merely an organizational event but a broader campaign connected with the protection of journalists’ rights and the strengthening of democratic values in the country. The journalists attending the meeting supported the proposal and stated that society can receive fair and reliable information only when journalists are able to work in a safe and independent environment.
At the end of the meeting, the organization’s office bearers said that the detailed schedule and date of the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar will be announced soon. They also appealed to journalist organizations and independent journalists across the country to extend their cooperation and participation so that the issues of press freedom and journalists’ rights can be raised strongly at the national level.
