IT News
Imphal, Oct 28:
Problems faced by reporters while reporting court matters was discussed today on the second day of the workshop organized by the Khelen Thokchom Trust (KTT) commemorating the 64th Birth Anniversary of late Khelen Thokchom sponsored by the Manipur State Legal Service Authority (MASALSA) at Manipur Press Club today.
At the workshop, challenges faced by reporters in legal reporting were a central theme. The workshop was attended by media professionals and members of the legal fraternity. Advocate Hijam Chandrakumar, a key resource person at the event, provided insights on ethical and responsible reporting of court matters. He stressed that legal reporting should go beyond case proceedings to encompass issues like inadequate infrastructure and staffing in the judiciary.
Advocate Chandrakumar further advised media professionals on handling legal notices, emphasizing that receiving a notice is not inherently a form of intimidation; rather, it’s an exercise of the complainant’s legal rights.
He highlighted that reporters are not obligated to hire legal representation solely to respond to notices if their reporting is factual and can be substantiated in court. He also urged restraint in cases involving minors, suggesting that if coverage serves no purpose other than harming a child’s reputation, it should be avoided.
Rupachandra Yumnam, Editor-in-Chief of Impact TV and Secretary of the Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM), discussed frequent cases of media intimidation by law enforcement agencies. He mentioned that even newsreaders are sometimes summoned to locations like Delhi or Guwahati to justify their reading of news, which is filed by reporters and cleared by editors. Yumnam highlighted the risks faced by media professionals, who are often held accountable for circumstances beyond their control, underscoring the need for more robust protections.
To address these challenges, the media fraternity has formed a specialized cell to stand against any form of intimidation and ensure that press freedom is upheld. The workshop served as a significant platform for encouraging ethical legal reporting while also reinforcing the rights and safety of journalists in their pursuit of truthful reporting.
The workshop was moderated by Senior Editor Irengbam Arun.