WHO WE ARE
Eastern Himalayan Journalists’ Union (EHJU) is the one and only union of journalists of West Bengal which is registered as a trade union under the Trade Unions Act, 1926.
It was established in 2013 covering the area of the then Darjeeling District of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration of West Bengal. It was registered by the Addl. Registrar of Trade Unions, North Bengal Zone, Siliguri vide no. 22013 dated 1st July 2013.
Since 2014 it is affiliated to Indian Journalists Union (IJU), the largest union of Journalists of India which is affiliated to International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the largest union of Journalists of the world. Presently the Registrar of Trade Unions of the state of West Bengal granted it a new registration number (no. 28463). Its registered office and headquarters is located in Kalimpong (Near Old Dumping Yard, Malli Road, PO.& District.Kalimpong)
MORE ABOUT US
According to the IJU rules, only one union of a state is approved as a state union of the IJU and, it is representing the whole state of West Bengal. Some members from the state headquarters Kolkata also have joined as member of this union and more are expected to join in the near future and accordingly units in different districts of the state will be constituted.
The EHJU is a union of journalists and does not have any political leanings constituted solely to defend the rights and duties of the press fraternity. It is alert to changing times in this digital world. Having realised the impact of social media on both traditional and electronic forms it acts against all attacks on free media and journalists, whether employed full or part time or freelance.
Similar to some countries journalism in India too is facing grave challenges and threats and attacks, fake and paid news, plagiarism, trolling, misinformation, propaganda, self-censorship, internet shutdowns, changing labour laws et al have changed the entire media landscape and its narrative.
The union need to guard against these aberrations, strive unrelentingly to contribute to upholding the core values of the profession and work towards the larger goal. Certainly with the support of its members it will fight for safeguarding democracy, promoting sustainable development, and defending people’s rights.