GUWAHATI, Nov 30 - Journalists� Association of Assam (JAA), affiliated to the International Federation of Journalists, Brussels, at its meeting held today, decided to present the Jatindranath Bargohain Memorial Award for distinguished service in the field of literary criticism in Assamese literature to noted author and critic Dr Gobinda Prasad Sarma.
The meeting, held under the presidentship of DN Chakravartty, also decided to felicitate Pradip Baruah, chief editor of Prantik and Anil Kumar Baruah, former editor of Dainik Asam, in recognition of their distinguished services towards the enrichment of Assamese journalism.
The meeting also resolved to observe a sit-in demonstration at Dispur Last Gate from 9-30 am to 2 pm on December 7 in support of JAA�s 11-point charter of demands, as suggested by the National Union of Journalists of India.
The demands of JAA include, among others, enactment of a journalists� protection Act, constitution of a media council, provision of housing facilities to journalists on seniority basis, allotment of housing facility and land to homeless journalists on seniority basis, provision of monthly government stipend to working journalists, ensuring security of service of journalists, halt to atrocities on journalists and safeguarding media from private and government control.
JAA general secretary Bhupen Goswami, in his report, mentioned the appreciation received by the Assam unit from the national union and spoke on different activities of JAA.
Dalim Phukan, working president, Samir Choudhury and Niren Chandan Goswami also took part in the discussion.
Chakravartty, in his speech, appealed to the journalists to join the demonstration at Dispur Last Gate on December 7.
