80% of journalists forced to resign or take voluntary retirement due to COVID impact: Report

A recent report by the Press Council of India (PCI) has highlighted the extensive retrenchments faced by journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing widespread issues of forced resignations and inadequate compensation across major media groups.

The PCI's report, titled "Report on Retrenchment of Journalists by Media Groups during the Covid-19 Period," provides a comprehensive analysis of how news organisations handled layoffs during the pandemic. Prepared after testimonies from 51 journalists representing 17 news organisations in multiple languages, the report underscores the severe financial and emotional toll on the profession, The Wire reported.

According to the findings, 80 per cent of the journalists who provided evidence to the PCI committee reported being compelled to resign, opt for voluntary retirement, or were terminated without proper notice. Only 37 per cent of those affected received severance pay.

The report notes that independent estimates, including those by former PCI member Balwinder Singh Jammu and independent journalist Cyril Sam, suggest that the actual number of retrenchments might range between 2,300 and 2,500, though the figures are likely higher as the data primarily pertains to only English-language media.

The majority of the testimonies came from journalists employed by three major publishers: Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd (owners of Times of India), HT Media (Hindustan Times), and The Hindu Publishing Group. The report highlights that most of these journalists were based in New Delhi and Mumbai, reflecting the concentration of media outlets in these cities.

The report explains that formal notifications about layoffs were rare, with only 25 per cent of journalists receiving official emails from their employers. In most cases, communications about retrenchments were conveyed orally. Many journalists described being pressured to resign under threat of termination, often without any prior notice or formal communication about salary reductions.

The report documents individual cases, including that of Kavitha Iyer, a veteran journalist who was retrenched from The Indian Express after 18 years. Iyer was reportedly informed of her termination in a meeting where she was pressured to resign immediately or face termination. The report includes similar experiences from other journalists, indicating a widespread pattern of mishandled layoffs and inadequate communication from media organisations.

The financial impact on journalists was significant, with 80 per cent of those who deposed before the committee reporting severe financial distress. Many were forced to dip into personal savings, take loans, or relocate due to the sudden loss of income. Some journalists, such as Deepak Turbhekar from Bennett Coleman & Co’s Mumbai Mirror, experienced extreme financial strain, including using Provident Fund savings and selling personal assets to cope.

Beyond financial difficulties, the report reveals that the retrenchments also had a profound emotional impact. A significant number of journalists reported feelings of depression, diminished self-worth, and social withdrawal. The mental health toll was particularly severe among senior journalists, many of whom experienced considerable emotional distress.

The report criticises media organisations for their disregard of the "essential worker" status granted to journalists by the Union government during the pandemic. It points out that while journalists were recognised as crucial for disseminating information during the crisis, many media companies exploited the pandemic as an excuse to downsize their workforce disproportionately.

In its recommendations, the PCI panel calls for reforms to enhance job security for journalists. It suggests the introduction of a Model Contract that includes provisions for minimum service tenure, benefits such as Provident Fund and Gratuity, and insurance coverage for unforeseen events.

The panel also urges the Union ministries of Information and Broadcasting and Law and Justice to ensure more robust protection for journalists' rights and mental health.