Working or non working journalists
MAMTA BATRA
(Querist) 06 January 2012
This query is : Resolved
We are an organisation into publishing business to business magazines. We publish magazine on retail, fashion retailing and business of beauty and wellness and themes such as these.
We have been keen to enter into the LIC Gratuity Fund scheme. However, there is an important issue which needs to be resolved before we enter into it. The Gratuity for working journalists is worked on a different scale. The question is whether some staff working with us come under the category of Working Journalists. On the face of it and at first look it appears that staff life editors, correspondents, photographers and designers or art designers and the Librarian could be classified as Working Journalists.
However, a recent Notification issued by the Government of India and received by us through the IENS while clarifying some designations mentioned in the Working Journalists Act elaborates that a Working Journalist under the Working Journalists Act is one whose primary job is to handle news e.g. a photographer is a Working Journalist only if he is a News photographer [and thus a fashion photographer such as we here have would not by implication be classified as a News Photographer] Similarly, a Librarian or a Cartoonist or many others similarly must invariably be handling news to qualify as a Working Journalist.
If we look at several staff working with us here on editorial jobs such as features writers etc, they do not appear to be coming within the category of News Journalist.
Additionally, we also have this guideline from the FIPB UNIT of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance specifically stating that our magazines such as 'M' magazine or even magazines like IMAGES BUSINESS OF FASHION, IMAGES RETAIL (Both English & Hindi) etc. are classified as speciality magazines and are "not allowed to publish items containing news and current affairs".
In view of the above, your expert advice is solicited whether we treat our staff working on our magazines as Working Journalists or like any other staff.
Sankaranarayanan
(Expert) 06 January 2012
If they all come under the working jounalist act then they all come under that perview otherwise they all come under either contract or employee of establishment . As for as my knowledge goes those all works related the journalism then all are come under that cattegery
Shonee Kapoor
(Expert) 06 January 2012
Rightly said.
Contact someone who has knowledge of dealing in such things.
Regards,
Shonee Kapoor
harassed.by.498a@gmail.com
Raj Kumar Makkad
(Expert) 07 January 2012
As you have a big organization, it shall be better for you to have specialized services of some legal experts on the subject rather putting your query here on public platform.
Deepak Nair
(Expert) 07 January 2012
Rightly advised by the experts. Please do as advised.
Devajyoti Barman
(Expert) 08 January 2012
This is the skilled job of an professional. Do get in touch with them.
