NE LAW & BUSINESS BUREAU
NEW DELHI, NOV 21
The Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) on Thursday strongly condemned the Union Government’s move to implement the four Labour Codes, calling them a direct attack on workers’ rights and a severe blow to press freedom in the country.
Repeal the Labour Codes, Save Press Freedom… pic.twitter.com/T6Rgr7Kz15
— Delhi Union of Journalists (@DUJ1949) November 21, 2025
In a sharply worded statement, the DUJ said the Labour Codes effectively abolish two landmark legislations passed in 1955 and 1958—the Working Journalists Act and the Working Journalists (Fixation of Rates of Wages) Act—which for decades safeguarded the service conditions, wage protections and professional independence of newspaper employees.
- Says repeal of historic Working Journalists Acts undermines rights won through decades of struggle
- Warns New Labour Codes will weaken protections, expand owners’ influence over newsrooms
- DUJ backs nationwide trade union protests on November 26; calls on journalists to join agitation
“These Acts were the foundation of press freedom in India,” the DUJ said. “They created a clear legal demarcation between journalists and media owners, shielding journalists from commercial, political and governmental pressures. Their removal comes at a time when journalists across India are demanding expansion of these protections to include electronic and digital media workers—not their dismantling.”
The DUJ said the Labour Codes “muzzle workers’ rights” and “expose media employees to arbitrary employer control,” warning that editorial independence could be compromised as a result.
The union urged the government to immediately repeal the Labour Codes and restore statutory protections specific to journalists and media workers.
Extending support to the ten Central Trade Unions protesting against the new Codes, the DUJ announced that it will participate in the joint national demonstrations scheduled for November 26, calling upon media professionals across the country to “join these united struggles to defend rights won after long battles.”
The statement was issued jointly by DUJ President Sujata Madhok, Vice President S.K. Pande, and General Secretary A.M. Jigeesh.
