Taking Cognisance Of Plight Of Journalists During Lockdown, Telangana HC Directs State To Consider Their Grievances 'Most Sympathetically' Within 2 Weeks [Read Order]

Taking cognisance of the plight of the Journalists' Community during the lockdown, the Telangana High Court on Tuesday directed the State to consider "most sympathetically" within 2 weeks the representation the court has required to be made before it in this behalf.

The Chief Justice-led bench was hearing a PIL urging that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Journalists in the State are finding it extremely difficult to make both ends meet. A prayer was made to the Court to direct the State Government to create a separate fund for the benefit of the Journalists.

"According to the petitioner (an advocate), many of the Journalists are not permanently employed by the Print & Electronic media. Instead, they work on commission basis depending on the news items furnished by them for publication/broadcasting", noted the division bench.

"No doubt, it is the duty of the State to look after the welfare of the people", it remarked, continuing to observe, "But, before this Court passes any directions, it will be in the interest of justice to direct the petitioner to file a representation before the respondent".

The Court ordered that the respondents shall consider the representation filed, either by the petitioner, or by an Association of Journalists with regard to their interests, and rights. "It is, certainly, hoped that the respondents will consider the representation most sympathetically", it commented.

The bench directed that the representation shall be filed, either by the petitioner, or by the Association of Journalists, within a period of one week from June 2. The respondents are directed to consider, and decide the representation, after giving an opportunity of hearing, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of the representation.

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