Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has ruled that journalists are not considered employees under the Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions and Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act. In a recent order, the court emphasized that journalists hold a unique status and therefore complaints filed by them under these Acts before an industrial court would not be valid.

The court's ruling, delivered by Justices Nitin Jamdar and Sandeep Marne on February 29, came in response to petitions filed by two working journalists challenging orders of the industrial court from 2019. The industrial court had rejected their complaints on the grounds that journalists did not fit the definition of employee or workman under the Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices Act.

According to the High Court, journalists are granted special privileges and protections under the Working Journalists Act of 1955. This Act provides a separate mechanism for resolving disputes under the Industrial Disputes Act.

Highlighting the distinct status of working journalists, the court stated, "If there is no difference between the working journalist and workmen then it cannot be that the working journalist retains special privileges while they are denied to other workmen including non-working journalists."

The Bombay High Court further underscored the significance of the Working Journalists Act, stating that it was enacted to confer a special status on journalists. Therefore, disputes involving journalists must be settled according to the provisions outlined in the Industrial Disputes Act.

In conclusion, the court dismissed the petitions, reaffirming the unique status enjoyed by working journalists and their entitlement to special protections under the law.

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