CHANDIGARH : Punjab and Chandigarh Journalists Union and Chandigarh and Haryana Journalists
Union jointly organized a seminar on "Freedom of Press and challenges" in Sector 16 , Kala Bhawan
Chandigarh.
The Chief Guest of the joint initiative organised by Presidents Balbir Jandu and Ram Singh Brar of
Punjab and Haryana units of Units respectively was Aman Arora, the Information and Public Relations
Minister Punjab. The Secretary General of Indian Journalists Union Balwinder Singh Jammu was the
Special Guest.
Prominent thinker Dr. Piyara Lal Garg and Senior Journalist Hamir Singh were the main speakers.
Speaking on the occasion, Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said Media is the fourth pillar and it is also known
as the mirror of the society. The role of the media is very important in the development and progress of the
state and nation. He said the department has already initiated the process of re-constituting the
accreditation committee.
On the demand charter submitted by the Union, the minister said the department would be coming
up with good news for journalists soon.
The General Secretary of IJU Balwinder Jammu took up the issue of repeal of the Working
Journalists Act and also talked about the journalists who died during the Corona period and said journalists
were also called corona warriors or front liners but the bereaved families are still not provided any financial
assistance. Besides this , he demanded a pension scheme , free bus service scheme for the journalists
and also a re-constitution of the accreditation committee.
The senior journalist Hamir Singh talked about how the corporate sector has influenced the media
sector and the judiciary has also come under its effect. In such a situation, journalists are working under
numerous pressures and threats. The Freedom of Press is narrowing down and journalists are no more
employed as regular employees.
Ram Singh Brar said disinformation and misinformation is in trend on social media which is a
dangerous way of presenting news and credibility of factual news is not taken into consideration.
Dr. Piyara Lal Garg asked journalists to depart their duty with passion, honesty and integrity. State General
Secretary of the Union Pal Singh Nauli presented the Demand Charter in detail in the programme.
In the beginning of the programme, Pritam Singh Rupal welcomed the guests and dignitaries present on
the stage. State Vice President of the Union Jai Singh Chhibber conducted the stage as stage secretary.
At last, the State President Balbir Singh Jandu presented a vote of thanks and also gave momentos to the
dignitaries present on the stage.