Fourth pillar of democracy and reality: The truth hidden behind the shine of journalists of Uttarakhand

As much as the glamor of journalism is visible in the headlines in Uttarakhand, the reality behind it is equally bleak and painful. The media, which is called the fourth pillar of democracy, today stands with cracks in its roots – cracks created by wage-based journalism, the contractual system and the arbitrariness of the owners.

When Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced recognition of journalists at the block and tehsil level, it was considered a big step. This decision was important because the deaths of journalists time and again due to lack of treatment and the plight of their families exposed a truth that media houses had always suppressed—that reporters shine, but their lives remain shrouded in darkness.

Even when crores of rupees from government advertisements reach the coffers of media owners, journalists, who are considered the backbone of reporting, continue to yearn for even a nominal salary. And when the government for the first time wanted to ask, “Who are the journalists in the state?”, then the biggest revelation happened – those whom we consider to be newspaper reporters and TV channel correspondents, the owners are saying that we do not even know them.

This situation is not only a defeat of the media of Uttarakhand but also of democracy.
The person whose byline is published daily in the newspaper, actually turned out to be a ‘laborer’ of a contractor.
The one who has the responsibility of bringing news of events in the state does not even have an identity card.
This is not just a failure of the system, but a system of media owners in which the reporter is merely a commodity—he gets neither rights, nor security, nor respect.

And the truth is that how will someone who is insecure himself reveal the reality of power?
One who cannot speak for his rights, how will he be able to fight for the rights of the people?

The irony of the journalists in Uttarakhand is that they raise their voice on every problem of the society, but could not even get the Majithia Wage Board system implemented for themselves.
Structures are fragmented, organizations are weak, journalists are divided into factions and groups—and this fragmentation has given media owners immense power.

On the other hand, the courage to question those in power is no longer the same as before.
Even just writing a little on social media leads to lawsuits, threats and chargesheets.
When criticism becomes treason, then democracy rests on fear, not dialogue.

Today, when the fourth pillar is wavering, its treatment is necessary –
Not just for the welfare of journalists,
But for the health of democracy.

The solutions are obvious:

Compulsory identification and statutory appointment of journalists

Strict adherence to Majithia Wage Board

Transparency in government advertisements

Health, insurance and safety cover for journalists

And most importantly, guaranteeing free and fair journalism

If we don’t strengthen journalists,
Then we will weaken the very foundation of democracy.
On which the entire system rests.

Today the question is not what is the condition of journalists in Uttarakhand.
The real question today is –
Do we want a democracy where news is sold but journalists die of hunger?

The system has to respond.
And answers are needed now—because silence is no longer an option.