IT News
Imphal, Sept 19:
A senior Journalist of a reputed International News Agency today kills news story which he had done in-depth news coverage in connection with the visit of the National General Secretary of the Lok Janna Shakti Party (LJP) after a political worker of the party allegedly tried to bribe him for extensive news coverage.
With the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election knocking at the door, political parties and their candidates along with the supporters are gearing up election campaigns amid Covid-19 Pandemic which is still unable to be put under control. For the National level Political party, the commonly seen phenomenon is giving warm reception and exposure of their leaders visit through media. Reporters doing political beat often are busy covering news reports about the visit of political party leaders either by attending press conferences or by taking bites wherever possible. There were criticism and allegations of giving larger coverage for larger political parties and small space for smaller political party’s leaders’ visits. Above this what is shocking is about the allegation of media persons being bribed by political party workers. Whether the rumours about journalists being paid for news coverage is true or not is yet to be verified but the actual event that happen today in Imphal today is that a senior journalist of a reputed International News Agency today kills news story in connection with the visit of a high profile leader of a National Political Party after a party worker tried to bribe him for doing the extensive news coverage of their party leader at Imphal Airport today.
The senior journalist is popularly known as Chinglen, who has been working for a reputed International News Agency wrote on his Facebook page that the act of the political workers has made his whole effort of covering the event as mockery.
“One may agree with me or not. It was a very disgusting moment, a direct insult to our professional ethics, during an event covering a national party leader of LJP arriving at Imphal, one of the workers of the State chapter rush towards me to bribe me with a few amount wrapped in a white envelope, while I was about to leave the area. Likewise, I think he might have approached others too and paid them. Though the leader might not be aware of that. However, I felt, this as a direct insult to my professional ethics. So, I’ll not file the story. Making my whole effort of covering the event as a mockery”, Chinglen names his profile Ching Len K Laik on Facebook.
Talking to ‘Imphal Times’ Chinglen said that he is against any form of paid news and he will keep fighting for the cause of journalism.
Interestingly the LJP leader which arrived at Imphal Airport today is identified as Ruchida Sharma, the one and the only person from not only Manipur but from the entire North-East states to hold a top post in the LJP. He was appointed as the LJP General Secretary by Union Minister Pasupati Kumar on August 31. His visit is to strengthen the LJP in the state.
