80% journalists laid off during during COVID-19 pandemic were ‘forced to resign’: PCI Panel Report
New Delhi: According to a report by the Press Council of India (PCI) examining the effects of retrenchment of journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic, a massive chunk of those laid off were either forced to resign, opt for voluntary retirement, or were terminated from their positions by their news organisations. The report revealed that 80 percent of journalists who testified reported being forced out of their positions, while only 37 percent received severance pay.
The report, titled “Report on Retrenchment of Journalists by Media Groups During the Covid-19 Period,” was compiled after a total of 51 journalists across 17 news organisations in English, Hindi, Marathi, and Bengali, as well as from 12 journalist unions and associations deposed before the committee established in September 2023.
The report mentioned that independent estimates by former PCI member Balwinder Singh Jammu and independent journalist Cyril Sam had estimated retrenchments at approximately 2,300 to 2,500. However, the actual number is likely higher, as these figures primarily reflect data from the English-language media.
Notably, the report revealed that merely 25 percent of the journalists who who provided testimony to the committee received formal email notifications about their retrenchments from their companies. In contrast, approximately 75 percent of the communications regarding retrenchments were made orally.
Kavitha Iyer, currently working as an independent journalist, was retrenched from The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau in July, 2020, after 18 years with the publication. Iyer was informed of her retrenchment during a meeting where she was instructed to leave her phone outside, according to the report cited by The Wire. She was told she could either resign and accept a relieving letter or face termination. “Sadly, we are all now a little less human and a little more virus, she remarked. The report noted that nearly all the journalists who testified before the committee in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata described similar experiences regarding their retrenchment.
In an open letter posted on LinkedIn in August, 2020, Ashish Rukhaiyar, who was laid off from The Hindu in June of that year, described the retrenchment process as highly disorganised. He reported that some reporters were dismissed over the phone, while others were summoned to the office and pressured to resign immediately. “They were threatened that if they do not resign, they would lose out on payouts they are entitled to under law. There was absolutely no method in this madness. No memos, no performance related warnings, no red flags in appraisals, etc,” the letter is quoted as saying in the report, as mentioned by The Wire.
Another important finding is that 44 percent of journalists reported significant financial impact due to their retrenchment. Additionally, 34 journalists had to draw from family savings, 17 were compelled to take out loans, and 12 were forced to relocate.
Deepak Turbhekar, a photographer with Bennett, Coleman Co’s Mumbai Mirror, was asked to resign in January 2021 over a WhatsApp call from HR. In his testimony before the sub-committee, Turbhekar broke down and revealed that he was threatened with termination if he did not resign, and ultimately received only one month's salary after 16 years with the organisation. As a result, he had to use his Provident Fund savings to repay his home loan in Mumbai and sell his wife’s jewellery to support his elder daughter’s education.
In addition to financial hardships, journalists reported significant mental health impacts. “The retrenchments emotionally affected 40 (80%) journalists who deposed before the committee. Retrenchments also impacted the self-worth and the confidence of 40 (80%) journalists. Depression was reported by 30 (60%) journalists and 27 (54%) experienced social withdrawal. Senior journalists, in particular, were emotionally most affected. This was also witnessed in physical hearings where many senior journalists experienced emotional turmoil and were moved to tears,” the report pointed out.
The report further noted that although journalists worked on the frontlines during the pandemic and were classified as essential workers by the Union government, this designation did not prevent media companies and organisations from proceeding with retrenchments. “The reasoning for including the news media in the ‘essential workers’ category was a recognition that the circulation of news and information is especially very important during a crisis period when people are struggling to cope with the changing pandemic situation on a daily basis, and when rumour mills in the unofficial channels of information are clouding people’s understanding. However, we have to record that this ‘essential workers’ directive was ignored by most of the media companies, and they showed scant respect to the Union government’s directive, firing and retrenching journalists at will,” the report emphasised. According to data compiled by the Network of Women in Media, India, 626 journalists in India died from COVID-19 during the pandemic, highlighting the severe impact of the virus on newsrooms and journalists, as cited by The Wire.
In its recommendations, the report highlighted that without job security for journalists, press freedom is compromised.
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Congress’ Samarth Shamanur wins Davangere South by-election
Davangere: Congress candidate Samarth Shamanur has emerged victorious in the Davangere South constituency, a seat that witnessed intense competition between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP. An official announcement is awaited.
The Congress has regained the constituency, while BJP candidate Srinivas Dasakariappa put up a strong fight but was defeated.
The by-election was held following the death of sitting Shamanuru Shivashankarappa. Despite internal ticket-related confusion and dissatisfaction among sections of the minority community, the Congress managed to secure the seat.
