Jammu and Kashmir Accredited Journalists Association Urges Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to Introduce Social Security Measures for Journalists, reconstitution of accredition committee

Ashwini Kumar 
Former buero chief Aaj Tak 

Jammu, July 20: The Jammu and Kashmir Accredited Journalists Association (JKAJA) has urged Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir to take immediate steps to establish a comprehensive social security framework for working and retired journalists by implementing a Journalists Welfare Fund Scheme, introducing a monthly pension scheme, and constituting a Jammu and Kashmir Media Commission and also constitute fresh Accreditation committee  .

In a statement issued here today, Ashwani Kumar, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Accredited Journalists Association(Affiliated to Press Association, New Delhi), said that while journalists have dedicated their lives to strengthening democracy and serving society through fearless reporting and public service, a large number of media professionals, particularly retirees, continue to face severe financial hardship, health challenges and institutional neglect.

He said journalism is not merely a profession but one of the fundamental pillars of a constitutional democracy. A free and independent press is indispensable to an informed citizenry, and safeguarding the welfare of journalists is essential for preserving press freedom and democratic values.

Ashwani Kumar said that the condition of retired journalists in Jammu and Kashmir is deeply concerning. Once they leave active employment, many are left without any structured pension, health insurance or institutional support.

 Unlike several other professions that provide retirement security, senior journalists often struggle with declining incomes, rising medical expenses, family responsibilities and age-related health problems.

He further expressed concern that, in recent years, journalists have increasingly faced legal intimidation, harassment and professional insecurity while performing their constitutional duty of reporting in the public interest. Such circumstances, he said, have made it imperative for the government to create an institutional mechanism to protect the dignity, welfare and security of media professionals.

The Association has appealed to the Chief Minister to introduce a State Journalists' Pension Scheme with a minimum monthly pension of ₹20,000 for retired accredited and working  journalists to ensure financial security and a life of dignity.

It has also sought inclusion of journalists in a subsidized government healthcare scheme on the lines of the MEDISEP model implemented in Kerala, enabling retired journalists and their spouses to access affordable medical treatment.

The Association has further demanded the establishment of a Jammu and Kashmir Journalists Welfare Fund to provide financial assistance during medical emergencies, housing distress and other unforeseen hardships. This scheme was prepared during Mehnooba Mufti  Government and Rs 2 crores were sanctioned by the then government but later on government fell.

To create a sustainable corpus for the fund, it has suggested earmarking 10 per cent of the government advertisement budget released through the Information Department until media organisations establish comprehensive social security mechanisms for their employees.

Ashwani Kumar also urged the government to constitute a Jammu and Kashmir Media Commission, headed by a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India, on the pattern of judicial wage boards. The proposed Commission should include representatives of journalists, retired media professionals, media managements and the government to undertake a comprehensive study of the structural challenges confronting the media sector and recommend long-term policy reforms, including social security measures for journalists.

He said that despite the vital contribution made by journalists to democratic governance and public accountability, there has been little institutional effort to study or address the hardships faced by retired media professionals.

"The continued neglect of journalists after retirement reflects poorly on our collective commitment to democratic values and freedom of the press. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir must act decisively to ensure that those who devoted their lives to public service are able to live with dignity, security and respect," Ashwani Kumar added.