When will journalists transition from 'workers to media workers'?

In general terms, anyone who works is a labourer. In that sense, a university professor, a government secretary, a senior police officer, or even a corporate CEO - all are labourers. Because they all work; however, not everyone is called a labourer.

A university professor may feel offended if referred to as a labourer. A government official or a police officer may not accept it. Because they perceive and society also perceives that 'labourer' refers to those who primarily engage in physical labour outside comfortable office environments or sometimes within the office; where physical exertion is prioritized over intellect or education, and certain skills or expertise are valued more than physical capability. Those who primarily engage in intellectual work, especially those who work in cognitive tasks, are not considered laborers.

Ironically, journalists, who predominantly engage in intellectual work and often need more cognitive agility and knowledge than even teachers, are still referred to as labourers! If journalists' rights are violated or any problem arises, they still rely on labour laws. The same laws that primarily cater to the concerns of ordinary laborers.

It's true that calling journalists laborers doesn't define their essence; however, how a state and its populace address or perceive individuals of a particular profession is crucial. The government of Bangladesh, like many others around the world, has been considering journalists and the media as 'opposition' from the beginning. This is not just unique to Bangladesh but prevalent in most developing and transitioning democracies, especially where authoritarianism dominates governance and political intolerance is severe. However, in countries that are advanced in knowledge, science, and economics, where opposition repression or authoritarianism isn't the main tool of governance, journalists are not considered adversaries. Instead, the media is considered a crucial ally in the development, democracy, and establishment of citizens' rights by the state. That's another perspective.

Let's come to the issue of journalists' identity. Why is labour law still relied upon for resolving the rights and other issues of Bangladeshi journalists? Why is it not possible to enact an independent and modern law for media workers? Again, even though journalists are considered laborers under labor law, do they receive just a fraction of the dignity of that labor? That's also a huge question.

The reality is that when the rights of others are violated, everyone should first consider the fact that journalists or media workers themselves are often victims of various forms of oppression in their own profession. Their own rights are gradually being violated in many cases. If some organizations shut down, most media personnel may not receive their salaries month after month. Even when they do receive their salaries, it is often not commensurate with their qualifications and hard work. If one talks about other financial benefits or facilities beyond the salary, it is considered irrelevant. Questions regarding their leave and other rights are often neglected, making it a grim reality.

Although Bangladeshi newspapers are supposed to follow the ninth wage board for journalists' salaries, it is often not enforced in many cases. Instead, it's widely known that the Department of Films and Publications (DFP) sets the circulation figures and advertising rates for newspapers in the country, and many leading newspapers adhere to the eighth and ninth wage boards. However, many newspapers manipulate these circulation figures, which is not only unbelievable but also ironic. Moreover, the credibility of the circulation figures mentioned by those newspapers is questionable to an ordinary reader. The dissemination of such false information by a national institution confuses the nation, raising significant questions.

Moving beyond newspapers, the situation of online portals and television channels is even more dire. Because there is no mention of any wage board there. Each television channel operates on its own salary structure. Consequently, a reporter on one television channel may earn 40,000 taka while another reporter on a different channel earns only 20,000 taka, despite having similar qualifications. This lack of a standardized system is not a matter of discussion for television and online portals, and this issue is not widely debated.

Even though the labor law stipulates an eight-hour workday, many media workers, especially reporters, often work more than eight hours. However, do they receive extra pay for these additional hours? If not, can they challenge this situation? And if a journalist loses their job due to such a challenge, will the state support them?

Often, without any protest or due to fear of reprisal, media workers are laid off arbitrarily, and even after being laid off, they are not paid their dues until the last penny. This uncertainty makes media workers in Bangladesh perhaps the most insecure of all. Journalism has become a prolonged sigh!

Every year before Eid, garment workers take to the streets to demand their salaries and allowances. Television channels broadcast it live. Reporters join the event to cover it. Yet, perhaps those very reporters have not been paid for six months! Such irony weighs heavily on those who work regularly, known as journalists, media workers.

Last year, the Broadcast Journalist Center-BJC published a report on the state of broadcast journalism, stating that despite labor laws, media organizations do not provide basic benefits to media workers. According to the report, only four television stations provide their workers with gratuity. Thirteen television stations fire employees without notice. Earned leave is not granted by most private television stations. (Ekattor TV, February 28, 2023).

When this situation arose, the government initiated a law in 2018 for journalists. The Ministry approved the policy outline of the 'Mass Media Workers (Terms of Employment) Act 2018', setting the conditions of employment for journalists across all types of media outlets, including newspapers, television, and online portals. The law referred to journalists as 'media workers' instead of categorizing them as 'laborers' as before.

The proposed law states that full-time journalists, artisans, administrative staff, employees, or workers employed by or under the ownership of registered newspapers and employed in various departments will be recognized as 'media workers' within the mass media.

And media workers engaged full-time in broadcasting work include broadcasters and producers, script writers, artists, designers, cartoonists, cameramen, audio and video editors, picture editors, sound recorders, camera assistants, graphics designers, and professionals involved in this work, the proposed law says. crew'. (Jugantar, 15 October 2018).

The bill has not yet been introduced in parliament for passage. Instead, it is currently under examination by a parliamentary standing committee. Primarily, there are differing opinions among journalists regarding several provisions of the proposed law. Consequently, since the bill was presented in parliament, various journalist organizations and newspaper owners have expressed dissatisfaction with several sections of the law. According to reports, the Editors' Council has claimed that out of the 54 sections of the proposed law, 37 are not journalist-friendly. Overall, this law is seen as contrary to the interests of both the mass media and media workers. In the context of finalizing such legislation, it is necessary to engage in discussions with all relevant stakeholders. For instance, there is opposition to labeling anyone involved in the media as a "media worker" or "artisan," as journalists believe that everyone involved in the media should be referred to as media workers.

However, regardless of differing opinions and opposition, there is a pressing need for an independent and modern law for journalists or media workers. There is no room for procrastination on this matter. Without encompassing journalists within the scope of labor laws and ensuring their job security, financial stability, and other benefits, it is imperative to enact such a law, where individuals working in newspapers, online portals, television, and radio, among all forms of media, can find refuge. However, until then, at the very least, journalists or media workers are receiving their due rights within the purview of labor laws. Ensuring this is the responsibility of the state.

Author: Editor, Current Affairs, Nexus Television.