The All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU), the Editor Guild Manipur (EGM) and AWMJU Advisory Committee on Sunday stated that the public announcement made by Chief Minister N Biren Singh to take immediate response against the reports published widely, based on IANS is a violation of right to information guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
A joint meeting attended by representatives of the standing committee of AMWJU and EGM and its advisory committee and functionaries reacted to the statement of the chief minister regarding a report issued by IANS on Covid vaccination, stated a joint release.
The joint meeting deeply investigated the report which was published in various local dailies and found that it was about Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines which are not administered in India.
It also clarified that the recent vaccination drives established by the central government including the state were not related to the vaccination programme being carried out in the USA.
There is no such apprehension in publication by the information related to the Covid issues mentioned in the report, which the state government has to realise, the release mentioned.
It stated that the state government should reconsider its decision to take any punitive action against the media houses.
The release also condemned those who further edited the news report and uploaded it on social media with intent of spreading fear among the public. It appealed to the government to take action against those involved in the activity. AMWJU, EGM and AMWJU advisory Committee wholeheartedly support the Covid vaccination drive undertaken by the state government, it added.
