Chandigarh – Punjab Union of Journalists Always in the Forefront

Chandigarh, Sanjay Pahwa – The Chandigarh Punjab Union of Journalists (CPUJ) today emerged as the biggest representative body of newspersons in the region with an effective strength of over 1000 Journalists from even very small towns of Punjab and Union Territory Chandigarh. The Union takes care of the interests of  Print & Electronic Media persons. Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Ambika Soni & Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pawan Kumar Bansal inaugurated The CPUJ meet 2011 with enlighten of the Lamp. They Released The CPUJ 2011 Souvenir & Launched  The Insurance Policy for the CPUJ Members.

The Union has not restricted itself to Trade Union activities. The Union has initiated several social welfare schemes besides promoting the cause of Journalism as a profession. Fighting for the interests of journalists. The CPUJ is the only organization of its kind which has initiated social security schemes like group insurance for its members. Doctor’s cell to take care of the medical requirements of journalists and their families. Union organize seminars of on various burning issues. The most successful seminar was held at Fortis, Mohali, on the “Role of the Press, Police and Politicians”. Union also organized seminars of emerging issues like female foeticide, right to information and drug addiction in rural Punjab. The Union has also taken up the issue of drug abuse in the region in a big way. In this regard, Gen S.F. Rodrigues (Retd), PVSM, VSM, Former Governer of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh released a CD of a short film “War Against Narcotic Terrorism” in September 2009. The Union is working to create awareness against drug abuse among the masses. The union has also raised its voice against the managements of several newspapers in Chandigarh and Punjab for carrying “Paid News” during the Lok Sabha elections.

The CPUJ is affiliated to the Indian Union of Journalists (IJU)  which is further affiliated to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). Recognising the enormous clout of the CPUJ, its parent body, Indian Journalists Union (IJU) nominated its State Union President Vinod Kohli as a member of Central Press Accreditation Committee of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Govt. of India in the year 2005. This is not a small achievement if we look at the important role that the Accreditation Committee plays.

The Punjab Government had not constituted the State Press Accreditation Committee for a long time. Following efforts of the CPUJ, the State government has announced to constitute the panel with the CPUJ getting due representation in it.

It is a matter of pride for every CPUJ member that the union has been approached by the Pakistan’s Punjab Union of Journalists to form a common front to fight for the rights of journalists in both countries. A journalist association in Afghanistan wants the CPUJ to train newspersons from that country. We are ready to help our Afghan brothers and sisters whenever they come to Chandigarh for the purpose.

The Union has also started the culture exchange programme. As per programme, a delegation of any state unit of the Indian Journalists Union can visit Punjab and Chandigarh. Similarly, members of CPUJ can also visit any of state units affiliated to IJU.

Recently, the CPUJ’s parent body, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU), entrusted it with the responsibility of preparing a national-level memorandum for the Wage Board for journalists. Being the Convener of the IJU Wage Board Committee, CPUJ President Vinod Kohli presented the memorandum before Justice G.R. Majithia wage Board.

The CPUJ stands committed to the welfare of member journalists, their families besides safeguarding the Fourth Estate from various threats that it faces today.