Minister Seethakka Calls for a Fear-Free Environment for Women Journalists; Senior Officials and Media Leaders Stress Leadership, Equality and Professional IndependenceCityLightBuzz:Hyderabad, October 24: The two-day National Conference of Women Journalists, organised by the Indian Journalists Union (IJU), Media Education Foundation India (MEFI) and Telangana State Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ), was inaugurated on Saturday at Hotel Tourism Plaza in Hyderabad, bringing together women journalists from various states to deliberate on press freedom, professional ethics, workplace safety and gender equality in the media. Justice G. Radha Rani, Retired High Court Judge and President of the Telangana Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, delivered the keynote address, emphasising that press freedom, professional responsibility and the safety of women journalists are essential pillars of a healthy democracy.
She highlighted the important role of women journalists in bringing the concerns of marginalised communities to public attention and strengthening democratic accountability. Referring to Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, she underscored the importance of freedom of speech and expression, while reminding journalists of their responsibility to uphold professional ethics, respect privacy and report verified facts.
Justice Radha Rani also expressed concern over workplace harassment and online intimidation faced by women journalists. She called upon media organisations to implement the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act effectively and ensure fair grievance-redressal mechanisms. Highlighting the growing challenges posed by misinformation, deepfakes and AI-generated content, she stressed that fact-checking and credibility remain fundamental to responsible journalism.
Minister Seethakka: “No Woman Should Be Silenced Out of Fear”
Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka), Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, and Women and Child Welfare, strongly advocated the rights, dignity and professional independence of women journalists. Questioning whether women journalists could perform their duties without fear, she expressed concern over allegations of assaults and sexual harassment during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She also called for impartial examination of subsequent developments, including cases reportedly filed against women journalists who raised complaints.
“A woman holding a microphone is not an enemy, and a journalist asking uncomfortable questions is not a threat,” she asserted, stressing that the strength of democracy lies in its ability to accommodate questions, dissent and accountability.
The Minister emphasised that constitutional rights are not privileges or acts of charity, but fundamental guarantees of equality and dignity. She urged women journalists to stand united across ideological differences whenever their safety and professional rights are threatened. Drawing attention to women’s empowerment at the grassroots level, Seethakka highlighted the connection between education, economic independence and participation in decision-making. She called upon the IJU to give greater priority to the safety, dignity and professional rights of women journalists.
Ayesha Khanum Calls on Women Journalists to Embrace Leadership
Ayesha Khanum, Chairperson of the Karnataka Media Academy, urged women journalists to assert their rightful place in newsrooms and become proactive defenders of democratic rights.
Drawing from her experience covering the Telangana statehood movement, she emphasised that leadership and professional competence have no gender. She encouraged women journalists to question authority, express their views confidently and bring greater empathy and diversity to media narratives.
She also highlighted initiatives by the Karnataka Media Academy, including collaboration with Infosys to provide AI training and technological upskilling opportunities for women journalists.
Prominent Media and Public Representatives Attend
The inaugural session was attended by Malkajgiri Police Commissioner Sumathi, IPS; Telangana Media Academy Chairman K. Srinivas Reddy; IJU Steering Committee members D. Amar and S. N. Sinha; IJU President Balwinder Singh Jammu; Secretary General D. Somasundhar; TUWJ State President K. Virahath Ali; and General Secretary K. Ramnarayana, among other media representatives. Senior journalist Swapna conducted the inaugural session, with TUWJ Women’s Wing Convenor Rajeswari Kalyanam and senior journalist Aruna also participating.The conference serves as a platform for women journalists from across the country to discuss the challenges confronting the profession and explore practical measures to strengthen workplace safety, professional independence, leadership opportunities and ethical journalism.The central message of the gathering was clear: protecting women journalists, safeguarding press freedom and ensuring accountability are indispensable to building an inclusive and vibrant democracy
