Low Pay Despite Legal Safeguards: Journalists in Jammu & Kashmir Struggle for Fair Wages
Hemani Kandhari 5 April, 2026: Despite legal provisions guaranteeing structured pay scales for media professionals, a large number of journalists in Jammu & Kashmir continue to receive wages far below prescribed standards, raising concerns over implementation and enforcement. Under the Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees Act, 1955, wages of journalists are not left to market forces alone but are regulated through recommendations of Wage Boards constituted by the Government of India. The most recent significant framework, laid down by the Majithia Wage Board, prescribes salary structures based on the size and revenue of media establishments, along with provisions for allowances and job security. Its recommendations, approved by the government and upheld by the Supreme Court of India, introduced a graded salary system based on the size and revenue of newspaper establishments, along with provisions for allowances and job security. Despite its legally binding nature,...
