Bhubaneswar: The election manifestos of different political parties should include major promises on protection of journalists. This was demanded by Sambadika Milita Mancha (Joint Forum of Journalists) in Odisha in a press meet in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Representatives of the Mancha had submitted a memorandum to BJP Co-In-Charge Lata Usendi at the party headquarters in Delhi and Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal recently seeking inclusion of the demands of journalists. Similarly, the Mancha had also handed over memorandums to Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Sarat Patnaik in Delhi and BJD election Manifesto Committee Chairman Chandrasekhar Sahu over the same demands including introduction of a special law for protection of working journalists, inclusion of journalists working for different weekly newspapers and web channels and news portals under insurance coverage, insurance for journalists' parents parents and enhancement of journalists' welfare fund.

Mancha convenor Dr Lingaraj Sahoo said, "Demands of different organisations and Associations have been fulfilled ahead of the elections. So, the genuine and long-standing demands of journalists working under difficult conditions should not be ignored."

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