Srinagar, Jan 10 (KNS): The recently constituted Working Journalists’ Association (WJA) has unanimously decided to extend its support to the Kashmir Editors’ Guild headed by Fayaz Ahmad Kaloo in its endeavor to work for the welfare of the journalist fraternity and the newspapers in the Kashmir valley.
It was further decided to nominate Mohammad Saleem Pandit of The Times of India as working president of the working Journalists’ Association till a permanent head of the group is elected besides other office bearers as per the norms of the democratic society.
In a statement issued to KNS, the working president, M Saleem Pandit said, the working journalists of Kashmir decided to extend their full support to the KEG so far as their concern for the welfare of the journalists and establishments of the press club in Srinagar, was concerned.
Pandit further said that the newly formed group has collectively underlined the aim and objectives of the outfit which are enumerated below for the interest of the officer bearers of the KEG especially the president Fayaz Ahmad Kaloo.
The working president of WJA also said, the working journalists have decided only to extend support and affiliate the body with the Kashmir Editors’ Guild but this body can highlight its problems and concerns separately as well, whenever required in future, he added.
The members of the Association have expressed their mind and views in the following draft;
The Working Journalists’ Association was primarily constituted for the welfare of the working journalists in the state of Jammu and Kashmir particularly in the valley, where the security of every individual including that of the journalist, is the primary concern.
The working journalists have decided to come together to form the association which would affiliate itself with the Kashmir Editors’ Guild only to the extent of welfare of the journalist fraternity without prejudice to the individual editorial policy of the organization , to the which the individual journalist is working with .
Besides, every individual member of this organization is at liberty to follow the rule book of the organization to which he belongs to, in line with the law of the land.
This organization called as WJA (working Journalists’ Association) do not or will not subscribe to the editorial policy of the local newspapers and the activities of the KEG members in their private or professional capacity.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The Working Journalist’s Association has resolved to affiliate itself with the Kashmir Editors’ Guild for welfare issues like health care of the individual journalist and his family besides pension scheme supported by the state government in league with jammu and Kashmir bank out of the monthly/ yearly or one –time contribution of the individual journalist.
The WJA would wholeheartedly extend support KEG vis-à-vis establishment of press club at Srinagar which will be managed and run by the apolitical group of journalists and be used and utilized by the journalists only.
The WJA wishes to make it clear that the working journalists would, in no case compromise with the independence of the press but certainly abide by the law of the land.
The following is the composition of the newly formed WJA:
1. M Saleem Pandit (Times of India) Working President
2. Mufti Islah (CNN-IBN) Vice President
3. Mir Fareed (TIMES NOW) Vice President
4. Zulfikar Majid ((Deccan Herald) General Secretary
5. Zeenat Fazil (Kashmir Images) Spokesperson
6. Mir Ahsan (Indian Express) Member
7. Sheikh Qayoom (IANS) Member
8. Arshad Hussain Kaloo (Greater Kashmir) Member
9. Rouf Rasool (Kashmir Images) Member
10. Manoj Koul (E TV) Member
11. Majid Jhangir (The Tribune) Member
12. Riyaz Wani (Thelka) Member
13. Arif Shafi Wani (Greater Kashmir) Member
14. Zehru-Nissa (Greater Kashmir) Member
15. Shuja-ul-Haq (India Today) Member
16. Sanam Tasaduq (E TV) Member
17. Parvez Majeed (Sahara Times) Member
18. Sameer Showkin Lone (KNS) Member
18. Ishtiyaq Ahmad (Early Times) Member
19. Owais Gul (KNS) Member