Media that criticize are not your enemy Mr. CM

Today is indeed an auspicious occasion for all of us working in media. Department of Information and Public Relations celebrates ‘70th Information &Public Relations Day commemorating its existence of 70 long year. Both media persons – directly serving the department as well as those working at various private media houses need to celebrate the Day. For small state like ours the DIPR is playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the common masses and those running the government. Even as media houses in larger states which have cosmopolitan cities may not take that important the way we in the state are considering DIPR.
The consortium of mass media runners across the world is taking a new shape with the fast changing technology. For some in the field – they consider running of a media houses is purely business matter. For some the tool is important for promotional propose – either politically or for advertorial proposes. For some exceptionals -who are in the profession, it is their passion, dedication and their ethos of pushing up the society towards the right direction. In a state like Manipur, as of now there are not many who utilize the media houses either for political propose or promotional proposes of their work. As for business propose one or two survive. In a state, where the population is around 28 lakhs people, with over 33 multi-ethnic communities speaking different dialect, even a shop runner, earning his or her daily bread understands that somewhat successfully run media houses in the state are all free from either politics or business motive individuals even though they have proprietor, reason – those proprietor too establish their media houses due to their passion for journalism. Even those tiny papers with 2 page evening newspaper, they continue to publish even at the cost of selling their properties and there is no doubt that they can be influenced by any force.  
Saying so, it is now the talk of the town that the government (present) having in-depth knowledge about the power of media, is using all means to control the media. Intimidation, friendly talks, building good rapport, are open secretes. For those in the government it is no wrong to try everything to keep control of the media houses as there are chances of misusing it by some vested interested people who wanted to sabotage the good work of the government.
This newspaper expressed opinion that fencing of the Chief Minister office and the Governor Bungalow with iron barricades with barb wire is not a good decisions. The justification about protecting from protestors trying to kick the gate will be laughing stock of the people. Those supporting the justification are toddlers who were waiting for opportunity but never bother about the fame and dignity of the Chief Minister or the government.
On the other hand existence of newspaper which directly criticized government affairs in constructive manner should not be treated the way it is dealing by the present government. One go through the writings may annoyed those who are being targeted, but twice or thrice  reading will surely make one understand the motive of such reporting or writing the news. When an English newspaper analyzed and tried to uphold the sanctity of the highest office of the state giving logical reasoning of celebrating a mere announcement of being ‘best’ or ‘third best’, the mentioned leader should think two or three times why such report are being focused. Defamation against a newspaper who tried to incite wisdom to the government in the near future will be nothing but will appear more like an immature decision by an angry young man. A systematic analysis on the news and the event by someone specialized in the matter and making the public known that “your report is wrong” will do much better. After all the DIPR has changed and is now equipped with many hard working employees under the Directorship of Heisnam Balkrishna.
One thing worth reminding is that, all persons in media loves you but when something went wrong, those who really care about you always wanted you to decide and act the right thing.
Whether we criticize you or your government, we will always stand by your side at the time of your trouble and believe us, there will be no other group who will support you more than the community you once belongs to.
On this occasion of the 70th Information and Public Relation day, Imphal Times hopes the IPR will surely take its role in making the Chief Minister of our state understand the reality by passing this write up. Nevertheless do remind him to read at least 2 or 3 times before making a decision.