Deeply concerned about the adverse working conditions women in the media industry have to face, the Indian Women’s Press Corps and the Press Club of India released a joint statement on Monday at a conference stating that the alleged harassment and suicide attempt by a young woman journalist of India TV “is a stark reminder of the unwholesome work atmosphere in which young women journalists find themselves these days”.
Press Club of India president Anand Sahay said the work pressure on TV journalists is enormous and women usually find themselves at the receiving end. “Guided by the sole principle of profit making and competiveness, media organisations endorse all kinds of unacceptable behaviour towards their employees. Irregular and long working hours, absence of proper statutory committees against sexual harassment and the absence of a code of conduct for employers place women employees especially in a vulnerable position.’’
Highlighting what the joint statement has noted, he said: “The demand of the hour is the regularisation of contracts and establishment of decent work conditions within the media.”
“Women work doubly hard and frequently have to struggle against prejudice on many fronts in order to become working professionals. The field of journalism is full of women professionals who have made a mark. And yet, this is not always a protection against having to work in a degrading environment. In their drive for profit and cost cutting, employees are made to take the brunt,” noted Mr. Sahay.
The joint statement further stated that jobs in the media are typically contract based and increasingly so.
“This is frequently exploited as due to the tenuous nature of the terms of employment, employees in general and women in particular find it impossible come out in the open and confront their difficult office environment. Unreasonable demands, unwarranted comments and abusive behaviour are tolerated by employees for fear of losing their jobs,” pointed out the statement.
Senior journalist Pamela Philipose speaking at the conference reiterated: “No one is going to take this without strong opposition and this is a good opportunity for self correction.”
Seconding the opinion and stating that there should be a policy of zero tolerance in these cases, CNN-IBN/IBN7 managing editor Vinay Tewari said: “If enforced, the very first time a harassment case is reported most people fall in line. Leaders in the media have to take a stand and show the courage to enforce the existing laws and establish norms for a healthy and safe work environment. Allowing access to colleagues helps nip harassment at work.”
