MP assures support to journalists at APUWJ celebrations

Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) president Kesineni Sivanath pledged on Monday to advocate for journalists' concerns at both the Central and State government levels during the union's 70th Formation Day celebrations. Addressing the event in Vijayawada, Mr. Sivanath expressed worry over the declining standards of value-based journalism today.

"Journalism once involved scrutinizing the government. Politicians feared reports about themselves," he noted. APUWJ general secretary K. Jayaraj stressed on issues like attacks on journalists, ₹25 lakh financial aid for the families of journalists killed in attacks, improved healthcare, reinstatement of railway concessions, housing, and retirement age increase from 58 to 65.

The seminar, titled 'Journalism – Then and Now', also highlighted the transformation of the media from print to digital and social platforms, focusing on journalistic values, credibility, and challenges. Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao emphasized preserving journalistic credibility amid misinformation. Both the politicians and journalists underscored the necessity to combat the spread of misinformation.