Don’t engage with media, teachers told

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 14

In a letter issued to all district education officers (DEOs) of the state, the state Education Department has directed all teachers and employees to not to get engaged in any kind of journalism-related work. Strict action would be initiated against those, who would found violating the order.

In the letter circulated yesterday, department officials mentioned that it came to their notice that along with teaching in schools many government teachers are working as journalists as well, which is against terms and conditions of their job. Hence, such teachers are strictly warned against any such practice.

“Teachers in a large numbers are not only actively writing for newspapers but also participating in debates and discussions on radio and TV channels,” read the letter.

Cautioning violators, the directions made it clear that 'No government employee shall own wholly or in part or conduct or participate in editing or management of print media and electronic media. In addition, no employee was allowed to participate in any kind of discussion in broadcasting channels or contribute their articles and letters in any newspaper or periodical.

The reason behind the warning letter was stated that the staff-cum-journalists are time and again writing against the policies of the government and some are even withdrawing salaries by working as journalists, hence, failing to do their duty in the Education Department.