Arun Khote of National Movement For Land, Labor & Justice (NMLLJ) started an online petition seeking attention of Prime Minister of India, Sri Arun Jaitely , Minister Finance, Govt. of India on ten point demands for upcoming budget session 2014 on Dalit media. He think: “role of mainstream media is highly under criticism and it is general feeling that mainstream media has been drastically shifted from its role from social obligation to commercial market profit making industry”. – Editor
Petition:
Respected Sir,
We understand that you are going to have fruitful deliberations with different Stakeholders before finalizing the Budget 2014-15 so that the bona fide & genuine issues /claims of different Stakeholders are given due consideration.
The debate & discussion on the role of mainstream media is highly under criticism and it is general feeling that mainstream media has been drastically shifted from its role from social obligation to commercial market profit making industry. This situation has alienated major section of the society from the developmental process.
Participation, representation and proper space in the mainstream media for vulnerable sections of the society is very much important for the democracy based on value of equality. 17 million people of the country known as Dalits are suffering inhuman practice of untouchability due to the Hindu caste mind set. Now the time has come that we need to debate, discuss on such discriminative attitude and mind set where mainstream media may play a vital role.
Therefore we appeal you to please consider some important suggestion from our side for your consideration for Budget 2014:
1. Affirmative policy for media industries to ensure Dalits representation and space of Dalit issues in the mainstream media.
2. 10,000 Media fellowships per year for Dalits.
3. An independent channel and news paper (Similar like Loksabha/ Rajyasabha TV channel) on national level to address/focus the issues and concerns of Dalits particular untouchability practice.
4. Minimum 25% government advertisement/sponsorship to the Dalit Media.
5. Special subsidy and low interest long term loan from nationalize Bank for setting up a newspaper/ magazine of news channel.
6. Special provision from Special Component Plan – SCP for Dalit entrepreneur to setting up media institute, newspaper/ magazine, news channel and to make documentary films on Dalit issues.
7. “100 Excellency Award On Dalit Stories/Reporting” for media houses and journalists/ reporters.
8. Sensitization & orientation course on Dalit issues to be introduce and it shell be essential for every journalists and reporters of the mainstream media.
9. Every channel/ newspaper/ magazine must reserve 20% space on social issue.
10. A media center in each state capital to facilitate mainstream media on Dalit issues and to the journalist/ reporters from Dalit background.
