About

Journalists’ Union of Assam (JUA) is a premier body of the media- persons of Assam having affiliation of Indian Journalists Union (IJU), an affiliate of International federation of journalists (IFJ). JUA is the largest pioneer body of the working journalists of Assam. JUA was established in the 1992. Late Naba Sharma and Late Hiten Mahanta was the founder President and General Secretary respectively. The Primary aim of JUA is to uphold freedom of media and freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution of India, ethical journalism, decent working condition of the journalists and other media workers. Since Assam and the entire Northeast is embroiled with the activities of many extremist groups it has become a dangerous place for media persons. The aim of JUA is to sensitize the government, the security persons, the rebel groups as well as the members of the civil society in upholding media rights.

JUA has been fighting for the causes of the journalist community of Assam who are working under horrible working conditions e.g. Without any appointment letter, regular salary, provident fund and other allowances, leaves and other statutory facilities in one hand and doing their journalistic assignments amid conflict situations putting their lives at stake for the benefit of the media owners on the other. JUA is fighting relentlessly to uphold freedom of media and media- persons. JUA is also holding seminars workshops, trainings and meetings regularly to bring excellence in journalism and encourage ethical journalism by shunning sensationalism. JUA is affiliated to Indian Journalists’ Union (IJU) which in turn is affiliated to International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). IFJ is a United Nations recognized world journalist body. Apart from the activities in Assam JUA also engaged in solidarity with other national and international journalists organizations as and when needed.

JUA in instrumental in forming an umbrella origination of the journalists bodies of Northeast under the name and style of Northeast India Federation of Journalists (NIFJ). Bedabrata Lahkar the Vice President of JUA is the General Secretary of NIFJ. Baikunthanath Goswami, a veteran journalist and a literary pensioner is the adviser of JUA. Geetartha Pathak was two terms member of Press Council of India (PCI) and also was a member of the Central Press Accreditation Committee of PIB. He was international election observer in the last Presidential Election and also in Darfur Referendum held in Sudan in 2016. He is also one of the members of the Steering Committee of South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SMSN) of IFJ.