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, implementation has remained inconsistent, with many media organizations allegedly circumventing the norms by hiring journalists on contractual or freelance terms, thereby denying them the benefits guaranteed under the law.

However, ground realities tell a different story.

Many journalists, particularly those working with smaller publications or in rural areas, report earnings that fall significantly short of these benchmarks. Entry-level reporters in several local organizations earn between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000 per month, often without formal contracts, benefits, or job security.

A major reason cited for this disparity is the widespread classification of journalists as “stringers” or “freelancers,” allowing media houses to bypass statutory obligations. Industry observers note that this practice has effectively diluted the intent of the law, leaving many media workers outside its protective framework.

“The law is clear, but enforcement is weak,” said a senior journalist based in the region. “Unless there is strict monitoring, Wage Board recommendations remain only on paper.”

The issue is not unique to Jammu & Kashmir but is more pronounced in regions with a high concentration of small, medium-sized publications and digital media portals. Financial constraints cited by media owners, coupled with limited regulatory oversight, have contributed to the persistence of low wages.

Legal experts point out that journalists employed on a full-time basis are entitled to Wage Board benefits, and non-compliance can be challenged through labour authorities or courts. The Supreme Court of India has, in previous rulings, upheld the implementation of Wage Board recommendations, reinforcing their binding nature.

As debates around media sustainability and press freedom continue, the question of fair wages remains central. Observers argue that ensuring decent pay is not only a matter of labour rights but also essential for maintaining the independence and integrity of journalism.

For many journalists in the region, however, the gap between legal entitlement and actual earnings continues to be a daily reality.

There is also a growing demand that the government should step in to fix a clear minimum wage benchmark specifically for journalists, so that a basic standard of income is guaranteed irrespective of the size or financial position of media organizations.