IT News
Imphal, Mar 6:
Following the decision of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union and the Editors Guild Manipur, in pursuant of the resolution taken at the Public Convention held at Manipur Press Club at 1 PM on 5th March 2021 publication of newspaper resume from today once more.
The two bodies however condemned all forms of attacks and threats, including the yet to be solved, issue of hurling a bomb at the office of Poknapham and People’s Chronicle by an unidentified woman. It urged the State Home department to expedite the closure of the case by arresting the individual responsible for the bomb attack.
“The AMWJU and EGM acknowledged the sentiment of the public leaders who spoke at the convention and thank them for their support to the media of Manipur at such a crucial moment when the media in Manipur was facing an existential crisis. As per the resolution taken, the media organisations called on all stakeholders of the media, which shall include the state as well non-state actors, civil organisations and the general public, not to give any obstruction to the media while it’s performing its duty. Speakers recalled that the Manipur media have been shut down on several occasions in the last few weeks following pressures from few quarters. AMWJU and EGM office bearers met several times during the crisis and took several resolutions to safeguard the “freedom of speech” and freedom to function unhampered”, a statement signed by both President of EGM and AMWJU said.
It added that both the Presidents of the AMWJU and EGM put on record the decision to call the public convention following scaling up of the pressure despite the organization taking resolutions to protect its freedom.
AMWJU and EGM also resolved to condemn the action of the Manipur government, which tried to use the new online media regulation made by the central government in Manipur for the first time in India. While it appreciated the state government for promptly withdrawing the notice served to an online portal in Manipur, it warned that it would not remain a mute spectator to effort by the state to illegally muzzle the press.
AMWJU and EGM however said it was against the fake news and hate propaganda being spread using various social media platforms.
In the end AMWJU and EGM urged all parties to acknowledge and uphold the “Local code of Conduct” drawn up by AMWJU so as to enable the media in Manipur to function freely and fearlessly.
