Needed to Define the Term ‘Working Journalist: Journalists’ Forum Assam

Guwahati, March 29, 2025: In a democratic country, every citizen who constructively expresses their views through any medium (now widely using digital platforms) can be termed a journalist. Such individuals may be associated with any profession and are not necessarily employed by a media house. However, this definition does not apply to a working (or professional) journalist, stated a forum of media persons based in Northeast India.

In a statement, the Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) argued that recent debates, sparked by the arrest of a city-based journalist, indicate that many motivated elements have attempted to mislead the public by equating the identity of a practicing journalist with an individual who engages in journalistic activities while maintaining a separate profession as a practicing lawyer.

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“It is astonishing that many took to the streets, convinced that the individual in question is a full-time journalist (meaning with no alignment to any legally endorsed profession). However, the prime movers of the movement remain silent regarding the journalist’s actual identity. Even after repeated public inquiries by State Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and IPR Minister Pijush Hazarika, the Gauhati Press Club (formerly Guwahati Press Club) continues to remain indifferent on the matter. The press club authorities should clarify whether its constitution allows a practicing lawyer to be a general member (who may later be promoted to the executive committee), even though the same GPC restricts freelance journalists who have been dedicated to journalism for decades,” said the JFA statement.

The forum also urged CM Sarma and Minister Hazarika to use the terms ‘working,’ ‘practicing,’ or ‘professional journalist’ instead of just ‘journalist’ to refer to individuals whose sole lawful profession is journalism — whether they are employed by a recognized media house or not — to prevent unnecessary controversy.

Furthermore, instead of continuing to criticize the GPC, the government should consider resolving a pressing issue faced by hundreds of GPC member-journalists by allocating a plot of land to provide them with a permanent address within the city (with necessary funds sanctioned as well), said JFA President Rupam Baruah and Secretary Nava Thakuria. They added that the GPC should be encouraged to vacate the Ambari archaeological site (which reflects the glorious Sunga-Kushana dynasty, 187–75 BCE) for its proper preservation and further research.

Nava Thakuria is a senior Indian journalist who contributes to various media outlets including print and digital platforms of India and across the world.

(The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ukhrul Times. Ukhrul Times values and encourages diverse perspectives.)