State Women’s Wing President Pooja Mishra states bluntly: “There is a lack of even basic amenities and security for female journalists; questions are being raised about the administration’s intentions.”
Siwan/Patna.
There is immense outrage among media personnel regarding the persistent neglect and administrative mismanagement faced by journalists covering government events in Bihar. The ‘National Journalists Association’—a leading organization dedicated to the interests and rights of journalists—has taken a firm stand on this serious issue. Association National President Rakesh Kumar Gupta has sent a formal memorandum to the Chief Minister of Bihar, demanding the provision of basic amenities for journalists at government events and the immediate implementation of a ‘Journalist Protection Act’ in the state.
Safety and dignity of female journalists at stake: Pooja Mishra, Bihar State Women’s Wing President.
Highlighting the practical challenges faced by female media personnel, Pooja Mishra, the Bihar State Women’s Wing President of the National Journalists Association, issued a scathing statement. She said, “Female journalists face the greatest hardship due to the gross negligence of the district administration at government events. It is deeply shameful that there are no arrangements for drinking water amidst scorching heat, and a lack of basic facilities for women—such as clean restrooms or safe seating arrangements—at event venues.” She added, “On one hand, the government speaks of women’s empowerment, yet on the other, the administration is proving completely incapable of ensuring the safety and dignity of female journalists working in the field. If the safety and dignity of female journalists at government events are not ensured, female journalists across the state will launch a protest against this.”
Officials unchecked in all districts; no compromise on dignity: Abodh Thakur, State President.
Meanwhile, addressing the situation across all districts of Bihar, State President Abodh Thakur stated that the organization is constantly receiving reports of journalists being harassed and neglected by officials in almost every district. The incident in Siwan serves as direct evidence of this. If district-level officials do not mend their ways and fail to provide journalists with a dignified space and basic amenities, the Bihar State Executive Committee will not remain silent. We will be compelled to launch an aggressive agitation, extending from the streets to the Secretariat.
Administrative Arbitrariness is Unjustifiable: Abhishek Srivastava, National Organizing Secretary
Expressing strong objection to the matter, National Organizing Secretary Abhishek Srivastava stated that marginalizing the ‘Fourth Pillar of Democracy’ in this manner is unjustifiable and reflects the height of administrative insensitivity. Officials often forget that journalists risk their lives to convey government schemes to the public. If the state government does not take immediate, concrete steps in this regard, the organization will be forced to consider a complete boycott of media coverage for government events across Bihar.
Gross Mismanagement at Siwan’s ‘Sahyog Shivir’
It is noteworthy that a ‘Sahyog Shivir’ (public outreach camp) featuring Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary was held recently, on June 16, in Papaur village, Siwan. Media personnel who arrived to cover this VIP event faced significant harassment. Despite the scorching heat and blazing sun, the administration failed to provide even drinking water in the press gallery. The NJA has specifically highlighted this event in a letter addressed to the Deputy Chief Minister. According to the memorandum, no parking area was designated for journalists’ vehicles at the venue. Consequently, media personnel were forced to park haphazardly at a considerable distance from the meeting site, just like ordinary citizens. Furthermore, there was no designated safe route to the press gallery, compelling journalists to walk through the massive crowd under the blistering sun. As mentioned earlier, there was no arrangement for drinking water for journalists within the press gallery itself. The organization states that similar complaints are now emerging from almost every district in Bihar, representing a violation of journalists’ fundamental rights. Long-standing Demand for a Journalist Protection Act
Rakesh Kumar Gupta, the National President of the association, stated that the organization has been demanding the enactment of a ‘Journalist Protection Act’ to ensure the safety of journalists in Bihar for several years. Despite this, the state government has yet to take any concrete or positive steps, a situation that is deeply regrettable.
Copies Sent to Press Council of India and Chief Secretary
The association has respectfully urged the Chief Minister to take cognizance of this negligence and issue directives to all district administrations, mandating the provision of basic facilities for journalists at government events—such as easy access, secure parking, and drinking water. Furthermore, given the gravity of the matter, copies of this memorandum have been forwarded to the Chairperson and Secretary of the Press Council of India (PCI), the Chief Secretary of Bihar, and the Secretary and Director of the Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD) for necessary action.
