Imphal, Nov 16: Manipur Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla and Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today called on the journalists of the state to report facts and the only facts of all sides without colouring the story to sensitize the issue on National Press Day organised by Directorate of Information and Public Relation (DIPR) at Banquet Hall 1st MR.
In her speech, Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla stated that journalists are the crusaders of truth and are meant to report the full and correct facts of an incident which reflects all sides of the problem. Terming mass media as a powerful weapon, Dr Heptulla said that mass media should not be allowed to be allowed to misrepresent or to control the news and to rule through manipulation. She appealed the media to be responsive and responsible.
The Governor further appealed the media persons to gather news from all sides and to report it for minimising the conflict. Besides, media should tried to find out a solution of the conflict arises.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in his speech appealed the media to be courageous in reporting fact news without fear. Terming media as the image of the society, the Chief Minister stated that if some news or incidents are portrayed with bad intention and spread to the world with wrong message than the world will consider our society as a violent society.
“Media being another pillar of the democracy has been playing a vital role in solving the differences among the various groups of the society”, Ibobi said.
He further appealed the media to be positive and report the actual happening without colouring the event.
Press Council of India has been celebrating the National Press day since 1997 of this day to portray the responsible and free press in the country. As a part of the celebration the DIPR Govt. of Manipur also organized the event along with a workshop under the theme –” Reporting from conflict area ; a challenge to media persons” at Banquet Hall, 1st MR , Imphal.
The observance was also attended by Commissioner IPR, K. Radhakamar and Director IPR K Meghachandra as guests of honour.
On the occasion, Governor Dr. Najma A. Heptulla presented the Manipur State Journalist Awards,2016 to seven journalists in different categories. The awardees are –(i) Shri Ranjit Oinamcha, Editor (Paojel) for Best Editor for National Integration and Communal Harmony, (ii) Km. Babycha, Staff Reporter (Hueiyen Lanpao) for Reporting on Science and Technology,(iii) Shri Kshetri Meghajit, Sub- Editor( Naharolgi Thoudang) for Parliamentary Reporting,(iv) Km Nomita Khongbantabam, Reporter( Hueiyen Lanpao) for Reporting on Art and Culture,(v) Shri Ibomcha Yumnam, Staff Reporter,(Poknapham) for Rural Reporting, (vi) Shri Naorem Gyanand, Special Correspondent(Hueiyen Lanpao) for Reporting on Special reference to Women and Child and (vii) Shri Brahmacharimayum Devchandra Sharma , Staff Reporter(Poknapham) for Reporting on Health and Hygiene.
