Every year, at election-time, it's politicking season for journalists in the state. Elections to the Goa Union of Journalists will be held on April 30, 2005. Below is a listing of bullet-points of what each of the three candidates said, when asked what their priorities were for the GUJ elections. The listing is in the order they spoke:
Things I would do if elected as GUJ president: --------------------------------------------- Suhasini Prabhugaonkar, Reporter, Gomantak (Sunita Dhempe to old-timers) * Carrying on with the unfinished tasks. * Open up dialogue with Herald management to settle disputes of the Herald employees. * Sensitising the media over women and child issues. * Speak out against attacks on journalists. * Raise the issue of suppression and politicisation of journalists at the national forum. * Proper work environment is a concern for journalists. GUJ will take up the issue with the managements. * Strengthen welfare-fund scheme. * Raise funds for GUJ welfare measures. * Might have to initiate IFWJ meet in Goa to channelise more of a union spirit among members. * Annual souvenir. * Training programme for journalists. * Understanding and solving the problems of women journalists. Dr Y Bala Murali Krishna, Bureau Chief/Spl Corresp UNI * To promote professionalism. * Work for journalists' welfare. * Strive to set up a Goa Press Academy, as done in places like Andhra, Kochi, Karnataka, etc * Better working conditions. * Promote unity among journalists and non-journalists. Ashley do Rosario, deputy chief reporter, Herald * Work to set up a mid-career, hands-on training facility in association with Goa-based newspaper/media org. * Carry forward the process of evolving an effective method or mode (Ombudsman, possibly) on implementing a Code of Conduct and Ethics in journalism. * Work to set-up recreational and psychological/social counselling facility for journalists in distress. * One question that puzzles me: How to get members involved in Goa Union of Journalist activities? One year in the saddle and I still can't find answers. Will try to find these answers. * Will set up a GUJ Secretariat and a worthwhile library/documentation facility. FN, Panjim, 29 April 2005. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Frederick Noronha 784 Near Convent, Sonarbhat SALIGAO GOA India Freelance Journalist TEL: +91-832-2409490 MOBILE: 9822122436 http://fn.swiki.net http://www.livejournal.com/users/goalinks fred at bytesforall.org http://www.bytesforall.org