The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU), Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) and Manipur Hill Journalists Union (MHJU) on Sunday refuted the allegations of biasness charged against the media houses of the state by four student organizations and urged them to retract their ban on media in Manipur, particularly in Imphal.
The four student organisations are the Kuki Student Organisation, Churachandpur; Zomi Students Federation; Hmar Students Association and the Mizo Zirlai Pawl.
In a joint press release, AMWJU, EGM and MHJU expressed deep concern at the charges levelled by the four student organizations against the media and asserted that it has been a practice that any organization or individual dissatisfied with the reporting of any media house to approach the three media bodies for rectification, correction, clarification or correction if needed.
The four student organisations are also urged to submit case-wise of any article or reporting or lack of it to any media houses under the three media organizations for any changes, rectification or clarification, it mentioned.
The media bodies stated that announcing a blanket ban on all media persons or media houses from the valley area indicates a deeper conspiracy rather than addressing the issue.
It reiterated its appeal to the student bodies to retract their stance, and warned that they may be forced to approach various national and international media bodies including the Press Council of India (PCI) and the Central Government to protect freedom of speech and movement of media persons, the release added.
