Journalists Take to the Streets for Their Rights; Submit Memorandum

Baripada: Gour Dasgiri 29/04/2026 The Mayurbhanj district unit of the Utkal Journalists’ Association submitted a memorandum to the District Collector. Accusing the Chief Minister of failing to keep his promises, journalists took to the streets in protest. Despite a change in government, the situation of journalists remains unchanged. Questions are being raised about the unfulfilled assurances made by Hon’ble Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. What were once promises have now turned into disappointment. The fight for rights has begun from Mayurbhanj. While voices of protest are intensifying across the state over the basic issues and safety of journalists, its strong impact is also visible in Mayurbhanj district. Under the leadership of District President Soumyaranjan Pattnaik, the Mayurbhanj unit of the Utkal Journalists’ Association organized a massive protest rally in front of the District Collector’s office on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister through the Collector. The association questioned whether Mohan Majhi, who once stood with journalists while in the opposition, has now forgotten their struggles after assuming power. Were the promises made in front of MLAs merely electoral tactics? Journalists, regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy, continue to face serious concerns regarding their safety and social security. In this context, the association presented a six-point charter of demands: 1. Reconstitution of the accreditation committee and amendments to existing laws to ensure wider recognition of eligible journalists at district and state levels. 2. Enactment of a Journalist Protection Law in view of increasing attacks on journalists. 3. Provision of a minimum monthly pension of ₹15,000 for journalists above 60 years of age. 4. Establishment of an Odisha Press Academy and construction of a building in Bhubaneswar, with affordable accommodation facilities for visiting journalists. 5. Inclusion of retired journalists, beneficiaries’ parents, and children above 25 years under the Gopabandhu Health Insurance Scheme, along with an increase in ex-gratia assistance up to ₹10 lakh. 6. Overall measures to ensure safety, dignity, and welfare of journalists. Senior journalists of Mayurbhanj expressed concern that despite risking their lives to gather news in all conditions—heat, rain, and cold—the government remains indifferent to their safety and future. Hundreds of journalists from across the district participated in the protest, demonstrating unity. The association warned that if their legitimate demands are not fulfilled soon, the agitation will be intensified further in the coming days.