Delhi Union of Journalists Urges Fair Treatment and Decent Wages for Stringers

New Delhi: The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) has expressed disappointment over the recent dismissal of cameraperson Vipin Yadav and Dainik Bhaskar stringer Rashid Hussain following an unfortunate incident involving Union Minister Smriti Irani. The DUJ, in a statement, is calling for fair treatment and decent wages for stringers, highlighting the precarious nature of their employment and the vital role they play in the dissemination of news from grassroots levels.

The incident occurred when Yadav and other local media personnel were waiting for Minister Irani's visit to Krishnanagar Chauraha in Amethi. Despite being present at the location, the Minister left without engaging with the media. To obtain a comment, Yadav asked her for a statement. Unfortunately, the Minister responded with arrogance and annoyance, threatening to report Yadav's audacity to the newspaper's management.

This incident, captured on camera, led to the immediate and unjustified dismissal of Yadav and Hussain by the Dainik Bhaskar management. In response, Dainik Bhaskar tweeted that they had no journalist in the area, while Minister Irani publicly labelled the journalist as "fake." The newspaper management went on to demand the return of Hussain's Mic ID, which is significant proof of his employment without a formal contract.

The DUJ has emphasised that this incident sheds light on the vulnerable employment conditions that local journalists working as stringers for media organisations face. Stringers often receive low or no wages, lack formal contracts, and are provided with minimal equipment, if any. In some cases, they must invest in their cameras and microphones. Many stringers work for the prestige and access to local officials that the job offers, with some being compensated on a per-news-byte basis.

Recognising the crucial role of stringers in providing rural and small-town news, the DUJ has demanded that their employment be formalised and that they receive fair remuneration. Stringers serve as the grassroots news network, enabling information to flow from local communities upwards. Without their contributions, news coverage would be limited to state capitals where correspondents are typically employed.

The DUJ expects Minister Smriti Irani to display sensitivity towards the challenging working conditions journalists face and advocate for fair employment practices within the profession. “Instead of humiliating journalists, the Minister is expected to be sensitive to the tough conditions under which journalists work and to advocate decent employment for the profession,” the statement read. 

The DUJ's call for better treatment and wages for stringers echoes the need for a more inclusive and respectful media industry.