The All Manipur Working Journalist’s Union (AMWJU), in relation to its Golden Jubilee celebration, organised a one-day seminar on the role of media in this present situation of Manipur on Wednesday, under the aegis of Directorate of Information and Public Relations, at the Manipur Press Club.
In an inaugural session, DIPR director Th Charanjeet Singh appreciated the role the media played during the violence and said that without the role of media persons, DIPR cannot work properly.
Editor’s Guild Manipur president, Khogendra Khomdram highlighted the past situation of Manipur journalists and hardship faced by them. He said that the present situation is better than before regarding relationships with police personnel. He also emphasised the importance of verifying news.
“We should be very careful while reporting news, especially during such prevailing situations in Manipur. We should not report news that may escalate violence in the state”, said Khogendra.
The inaugural session was attended by AMWJU president, Bijoy Kakchingtabam and DIG Manipur, N Herojit.
In the technical session, Editor of Imphal Free Press Irengbam Arun spoke on the role of mainstream media in this present situation in comparison with local media. And, Editor of Imphal Times Khumukcham Ringku spoke on hardship and difficulties faced by the media persons and newspaper houses in this present situation; DIG, Manipur Police N Herojit spoke on expected roles media in present situation of Manipur; Assam Tribune correspondent Samom Sobhapati spoke on internet ban and role of digital media in this present situation; Manipur Hill Journalists Union president Peter Adani spoke on difficulties and problems faced by districts newspapers and correspondents in this situation; DIPR joint director T Romesh spoke on role of DIPR to facilitate the parachute journalists and local media in this present situation.
In the technical session, BB Sharma retired IIS chaired the session.
