Mizoram Govt Intends to Initiate Journalist Pension Programme

The Mizoram government is working hard, according to a minister, to put in place a pension programme for journalists in the state.

Speaking at the Mizoram Journalists' Association (MJA' National Press)'s Day' in Aizawl, State Information and Public Relations Minister Lalruatkima said the administration is prioritising the protection of journalists since they are the "pillars of democracy."

"Efforts are being undertaken to give pensions to journalists." He added that "a research team has been constituted expressly to evaluate the pension scheme."

He indicated that efforts could not be increased because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because to COVID-19, the minister expressed regret for the delay in establishing a news conference for MJA members.

The Mizo National Front (MNF) minister emphasised the importance of scribes, calling them "informants" and reminding them that they are "the public's ears."

Media, he claims, play a critical role in democracy by correcting and moulding government policy. Lalruatkima stressed the media's influence and urged journalists to avoid revealing inauthentic sources or biased news that might lead to public misinformation. He urged them to follow journalistic ethics and refrain from abusing press freedom. The minister also asked journalists to put in extra effort in order to compete with or overcome the growing influence of social media. 

In relation to the above-mentioned programme, we can take a look at other benefits for the Media personals, which include family welfare benefits, medical welfare benefits. Understanding it in a better-detailed way we can take a look back at the programs proposed by the Government in the other North Eastern States as well.

In 2012, the Medical Welfare Scheme for Journalists was established. Authorized and recognized journalists in Assam receive one-time monetary assistance for medical treatment under this scheme. The journalist's medical requirements, as well as those of their dependent family members, are covered by this plan.

The interest produced on the corpus fund of the plan is utilised to give this financial assistance. The Journalists' Family Benefit Scheme is a supplementary programme that was first established in the fiscal year 2014-15. This agreement provides financial assistance to the family of a dead Journalist following his or her untimely demise. As a result, the department has set up a savings account.

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