In the wake of Shahajahanpur-based journalist, Jogendra Singh died after he was allegedly set on fire at the request of U.P. minister of state, Ram Murti Singh Verma, the Samajwadi Party plans to launch a helpline for journalists.
Principal Secretary (Information) Navneet Sehgal said, “A helpline for journalists is indeed in the works… If journalists have any problems, they will be able to convey it through the helpline and it will be suitably addressed, as required, whether at the level of the district magistrate or higher officials.”
Director (Information) Ashutosh Niranjan, however, claimed that the department has been planning to launch such a helpline for some time and that the move was not related to the Shahjahanpur case.
“The basic idea was to address the various complaints of journalists. Like for example, their accreditation card might be pending. There are journalists in far off districts, they should not have to come to Lucknow with their grievances,” Niranjan said.
He further mentioned, “So, it was felt that there should be a mechanism where we register their complaints and address them in a time-bound manner. As of now, we are planning to address the complaints within 15 days. We are also planning to have a SMS generated system, with a tracking number, which will inform the person that their complaint has been registered and that he/she can track the progress of the complaint.”
“The number will either be toll free or be available at a very nominal cost. We plan to make it operational within a month,” said Niranjan.
Journaists, however have shown skepticism about the initiative.
“Whatever the state government does to address the grievances of journalists, whether through a helpline or any other mechanism, it should be effective. Rajnath Singh had launched Patrkar Bandhu (during his tenure as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh) but it remained ineffective,” said UP Working Journalist Union president Hasseb Siddiqui.
Siddharth Kalhans, president of the Lucknow Working Journalist Union said “Launching a helpline is a welcome move… but there have been similar attempts in the past.”
” A committee was set up for journalists in October last year by the incumbent state government. It had top officials from departments like home, information, housing and health, besides journalists, but remained largely on paper. Neither did the committee organise any meetings nor did any government official cared to attend,” Kalhans said.
“Often, there is no response when journalists approach the DM, the divisional commissioner or the SP with a complaint. So, this puts a question mark on the effectiveness of the helpline,” he added.