Terming the amendments to the Karnataka Advertisement Policy as detrimental to the small newspapers in the State, members of the Karnataka Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) staged protests in Haveri, Gadag and Dharwad on Thursday.
The protests were held in response to the call given by the KUWJ State committee seeking immediate steps to address the issues raised by the union.
In Dharwad, the office-bearers and members of Dharwad District Union of Working Journalists (DDUWJ) first locked the office of the District Information Department in a symbolic protest.
They then marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and held a demonstration demanding withdrawal of the amendments made to the Advertisement Policy 2013 through the guidelines formulated in 2014.
They said that the amendments would sound death knell for the small newspapers, which were a playing significant role in their own way in educating readers and sensitising the society on various issues.
Buss pass
They also demanded fulfilment of other demands of the working journalists including bus pass for moffusil journalists and extension of ‘Arogya Bhagya’ scheme to the working journalists.
DDUWJ president Ganapati Gangolli submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister to the officials of the district administration.
Memorandum given
In the memorandum, the Chief Minister has been urged to change the existing Director Vishukumar and appoint an IAS/IPS officer to discharge the responsibility.
In a similar protest held at Haveri and Gadag, the office-bearers and members of the Haveri District Union of Working Journalists and Gadag District Union of Working Journalists held agitations and submitted memorandums through the district administration.
‘Small newspapers are playing significant role in their own way in educating readers’
Demands include extension of Arogya Bhagya scheme to working journalists
