DUJ Blasts Undeclared Emergency, Telecom Bill and Calls for Release of Journalist Siddique Kappan

The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ), in its general body meeting (GBM), spoke against various forms of press censorship currently prevalent in the country and asked its members to be ready for protest meetings and actions as an undeclared emergency unfolds itself in the country.

The journalists' body called for a wider national alliance to fight against an "undeclared emergency with increasing attacks on both freedom of the press and the rights and dignity of journalists and co-workers." The GBM pointed out how a large number of journalists, even in the bigger media establishments, lost their jobs during the COVID pandemic, highlighting the precarious nature of job security in media.

Furthermore, it also recorded the joint actions along with the National Alliance of Journalists(NAJ) and Press Club of India, IWPC and the Press Association on some issues.

Among several resolutions that were passed in the meeting, one called for the release of journalist Siddique Kappan who has been lodged in jail for over two years despite a Supreme Court bail order. The resolution noted that Kappan is being targeted "because he was an office bearer of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) Delhi unit. It urged upon the UP government to drop the charges and ensure his release."

Another resolution specifically targeted the draft Telecommunications Bill, aimed at legalising surveillance Raj by the Central government. The GBM warned that the Central government "was trying to muzzle freedom of expression through a variety of machinations, subtle and not-so-subtle.

The DUJ also talked about the actions of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, who targeted two Malayalam TV channels and asked their journalist to leave an official press conference. Khan is not the only governor who is trying to destabilise an elected government; several governors in non-BJP states are actively working as agents of the party in power at the Centre.

Additionally, the DUJ talked about continuous attacks on independent media organisations, such as The Wire, The Caravan, Alt News, and NewsClick, among others. Seen along with the persecution of journalists in Kashmir, these attacks reflect an alarming situation where journalists are repeatedly targeted for doing their jobs. The DUJ demanded that a wider Media Council be formed and replace the Press Council of India.

The meeting passed a resolution against the Central Labour Codes in solidarity with the working classes. Furthermore, it called for fast-track courts for the implementation of Majithia awards.

The elections to the DUJ Executive and National Council will be held by mid-April next year. The GBM was presided over by the president and coordinated by DUJ general secretary Sujata Madhok and secretary Jigeesh with the executive despite manifold and pressing circumstances

of many, including office functionaries, who sent special messages.