"The Pen Should Not Stop; Facts Should Not Be Hidden"

INDIAN FEDERATION OF WORKING JOURNALISTS

(Founded on 28 October 1950 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and registered as Trade Union no: 1992)

Headquarter address: B-35, Nizamuddin West, Top Floor, New Delhi-110013

President’s address: 7 Gulistan Colony, Bandariabagh, Lucknow-226001, U.P.

IFWJ Phones. : +91 9415000909/ 9210914029/ 9415010300

E-mail : ifwj.media@gmail.com Website :www.ifwj.in

President Secretary General Vice President Treasurer

Gopal Misra K Vishwadev Rao G. Bhoopati (Tamil Nadu) Rajat K Mishra

Upendra Singh Rathore (Rajasthan)

Prem Kant Tiwari (Uttar Pradesh)

Mohan Kumar (Bihar)

Date: 1^st October 2026

Circular No:4/Eng/132^nd National Council Session

"The Pen Should Not Stop; Facts Should Not Be Hidden"

IFWJ's 132nd National Council Meeting Concludes in Bodhgaya with Key Historic Resolutions

Nationwide Mass Demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi Announced for October 28; Demands Central Journalist Protection Act, Pension via Ad Revenue Cess, and Strategic Asset Status for PTI

The 132nd National Council Meeting and Journalists' Convention of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) concluded successfully in the holy city of Bodhgaya, Bihar. Chaired by IFWJ National President Gopal Mishra, the three-day convention brought together hundreds of journalist representatives, national leaders, and delegates from over 20 states across the country.

Virtual Address by UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya

Addressing the national gathering virtually, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya stated, "Journalism is the strong voice and spine of democracy." Emphasizing that the pen should not stop and facts should not be hidden, he stressed that truth, realism, impartiality, and public interest must remain the core foundations of journalism.

Paying rich tributes to late senior journalist and former IFWJ National President Dr. K. Vikram Rao, he praised Dr. Rao for choosing the journalistic pen over an administrative career and continuing his voice despite severe illness, police attacks, or imprisonment. He urged young journalists to take inspiration from such sacrifices. He also highlighted the government's focus on women's empowerment, youth employment, and farmer welfare under PM Narendra Modi's guidance.

Opening Address by Chief Guest Bhikshu Sheel Ratan

The convention commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Bhikshu Sheel Ratan, representative of the International Buddhist Research Institute (UP Department of Culture). Elaborating on Gautama Buddha's Trisharana Sutra (Buddham Sharanam Gacchami, Dhammam Sharanam Gacchami, Sangham Sharanam Gacchami), he reminded journalists that peace, love, non-violence, and compassion are vital for world harmony. He urged journalists to act as a constructive bridge, promptly raising public grievances with the government while communicating welfare schemes positively to the masses.

Presiding over the National Council session, IFWJ President Gopal Misra highlighted the dual challenges of economic precarity and digital disruption in modern newsrooms. "The working journalist today faces severe pressure ranging from job instability due to collapsing traditional revenue models to the rapid emergence of Artificial Intelligence. IFWJ stands firm in its resolve to ensure that no journalist loses their livelihood without a negotiated transition, and that wage protections reflect digital realities. Journalism is the spine of democracy, and our struggle for press freedom and protection will continue unabated," stated Shri Misra.

Highlighting the organizational coordination and guidance that drove the Bodhgaya session to success, Mohan Kumar, Vice President IFWJ stated: "Under collective leadership and active coordination across state units, the Bodhgaya convention has successfully established a unified platform for journalists from North to South. Our priority is to strengthen state units, defend journalists facing local harassment, and ensure that the voice of grassroots journalists reaches the highest levels of government."

G. Bhoopati & Prem Kant Tiwari (Vice Presidents, IFWJ): Emphasizing interstate solidarity between Southern and Northern journalist federations, Vice Presidents G. Bhoopati and Prem Kant Tiwari jointly stated: "Whether in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, or Telangana, working journalists share the same struggles, physical insecurity, arbitrary dismissals, and lack of social safety nets. By uniting on a single national platform, IFWJ is mobilizing journalists across the country to stand as one for the upcoming October 28 agitation in New Delhi and the Diamond Jubilee in Bengaluru."

Addressing the financial sustainability and social security of media workers, Treasurer Rajat K. Mishra noted: "With media advertisement revenues in India having crossed ₹10,000 Crore, it is high time the government levies a dedicated cess on ad revenues to create a permanent Pension Fund for journalists and media personnel. Furthermore, newspaper owners must strictly adhere to allocating at least 15 percent of their revenue directly for journalistic work and worker welfare."

President, Confederation and PTI Federation Shri Indu Kant Dixit underscored the vital role of national news agencies: "The Press Trust of India (PTI) is a strategic national asset. At a time when foreign state-backed agencies like China's Xinhua are flooding publicity material to push foreign agendas, India must protect and empower PTI. We will not allow national news agencies or newspaper employees to be exploited or sidelined."

Santosh Chaturvedi, National Vice President, Confederation expressed gratitude for his election as National Vice President of the National Confederation of Newspapers and News Agencies Employees Organization, Santosh Chaturvedi stated: "I assure all journalist and non-journalist brothers and sisters that I will remain dedicated to protecting their rights and resolving their workplace issues. Strengthening media organizations, securing wage board rights, and standing up for newspaper and agency staff remains our top mission."

Manoj Mishra, National Vice President, Confederation welcomed delegates at Bodhgaya, Manoj Mishra highlighted the regional drive in Eastern India: "The overwhelming participation from Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Assam shows the grassroots strength of IFWJ. We are fully committed to driving the upcoming Women Journalists Conference in Jharkhand and mobilizing maximum participation for the Delhi agitation."

Organizational Elections & Appointments

1. K. Vishwadev Rao was unanimously elected as the new Secretary General of IFWJ.
2. Senior journalist Santosh Chaturvedi was elected National Vice President of the National Confederation of Newspapers and News Agencies Employees Organization.
3. National Vice President Mohan Kumar effectively guided and coordinated the overall execution of the Bodhgaya session.

IFWJ's Future Plan of Action (presented by Secretary General K. Vishwadev Rao)

1. Nationwide Mass Demonstration at Jantar Mantar (October 28, 2026): To mark IFWJ's Foundation Day, a massive national protest will be staged at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. IFWJ state units will submit formal memorandums to Central and State Governments through MPs, MLAs, and MLCs in every state, demanding a Central Journalist Protection Act modelled on Maharashtra's legislation.
2. Relaxation of Journalist Pension Rules: IFWJ will launch direct advocacy with the Bihar State Government and other state authorities to relax stringent, restrictive conditions that currently prevent veteran journalists from accessing state pension schemes.
3. Extended Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (Vajrotsavam) in Bengaluru: To commemorate IFWJ's 76th year since its founding in 1950, an Extended Diamond Jubilee Convention will be held in Bengaluru, Karnataka, bringing together international media delegates and veteran trade union leaders.
4. Special Conference for Women Journalists & Family Meet in Jharkhand: A dedicated national conference focusing on the rights, safety, and workplace equity of women journalists, along with a family meet for media personnel, will be held in Jharkhand.
5. National Congress at Amaravati: The next plenary National Congress of Journalists will take place in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, on May 27, 2027, followed by National Working Committee meetings in Assam or Chennai.
6. Academic Collaboration for Quality Journalism: IFWJ will collaborate with premier institutions like the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) to conduct training workshops, promote ethical journalism, and upgrade digital skills for working journalists across regional hubs.

Major Resolutions Adopted

1. Central Journalist Protection Act & Oct 28 Agitation: A massive national demonstration will be organized at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on IFWJ's Foundation Day. Letters will be submitted to central and state governments.
2. Pension via Ad Revenue Cess & Bihar Rule Relaxation: Noting that media advertisement revenue in India has crossed ₹10,000 Crore, IFWJ demanded a dedicated cess on ad revenue to guarantee pensions for all journalists and media personnel, and called upon the Bihar government to relax strict rules governing journalist pensions.
3. Press Trust of India (PTI) as a Strategic Asset: IFWJ extended wholehearted support to PTI, recognizing national news agencies as crucial strategic assets to counter foreign publicity machinery such as China's Xinhua.
4. Editorial Allocation & Quality Journalism: Newspaper owners were urged to assign at least 15% of revenue directly to journalistic work and welfare. IFWJ also announced full cooperation with premier bodies like IIMC to raise standards of journalism in India.

The National Council meeting witnessed active participation and leadership from delegates across India. Assam: Mrs. Namita Vohra and Mr. Rajkhowa. Andhra Pradesh: Mr. Parada Parameswara Rao, N. Eswara Rao (AP President), Delhi: Shiv Prasad Dubey, Rajendra Pandey, Jharkhand: Bharat Bhushan, Deepak, Karnataka: Shantakumari ji, Madhya Pradesh: Salman Khan, Telangana: General Secretary T. Srinivas, Tripura: Mr. Pritam Banik, Uttar Pradesh: Mr. Nitin Srivastava (Secretary of Lucknow Union) and Bihar: President Pramod Dutt, Bihar General Secretary Sudhir Madhukar, Ram Naresh Thakur, Abhijeet Pandey and other leaders.

Spiritual & Heritage Visit

Following the formal deliberations of the session, the National Council members and office bearers paid a joint visit to the sacred Vishnupad Temple in Gaya and the world-renowned Bodhgaya temples to offer prayers for global peace and truth in journalism.

With warm greetings.

yours comradely

K Vishwadev Rao

Secretary (IFWJ)