AMWJU celebrates, ministers vow welfare of scribes
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, September 16 2022: The 48th foundation day celebration of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) was held at Manipur Press Club here, on Friday.

Speaking as chief guest of the event, Works, Youth Affairs & Sports minister Govindas Konthoujam appreciated the role of journalists during crucial times by referring to the examples of famous journalists, who were killed mercilessly without leaving any single trace of their bodies.

He said that media fraternity is the most powerful and also the weakest and it usually puts them in a dilemma, as they are sometimes under pressure from different sides to publish or not to publish the news in an insurgency-rife state like Manipur, wherein two parallel powers are in play.

He continued: "In times of conflict, journalists often become the soft target.

In such a situation, it is extremely difficult for media persons to work".

"Media is the fourth pillar of democracy.

A particular news piece could cause huge changes across the country.

Thus, we should pay our respect to the journalists and support them.

Since the present Chief Minister has a journalistic background, he is also aware of the pains and problems and also the plus points of this profession," he added.

The works minister then stated that the matter of construction of two guest rooms at the Press Club for the welfare of AMWJU members and visiting journalists from the outlaying districts and out side will be taken care of.

He also assured that an elevator will soon be equipped inside the office of AMWJU's build ing, along with new floorings for the complex.

In his speech as special guest, Health & IPR minister Sapam Ranjan lauded the role of journalists, stating that it is a 24-hour duty job, and one that needs huge labour.

He expressed that the welfare of the journalists needs serious concern just like that of health professionals, while mentioning that the scheme for providing compensation to journalists and other grievances will be addressed.

The government will also look into the matter of shortage of staff at IPR department and other pending issues, in addition to discussing the matter of journalists' pension scheme with the commissioner and related officials on what points to be included and what to be rectified, after which it will be forwarded to the Chief Minister, he assured.

Ranjan also maintained that the issuance of CMHT cards to the working journalist is still continuing and if there is any related issue, a solution will be found out at the earliest.

AMWJU president Wangkhemcha Shamjai, who presided over the celebration, urged fellow journalists to maintain professional ethics.

He then remarked that working as a journalist in an insurgency prone Manipur is like being in the middle of the war.

Nonetheless, we must never run away in fear.

AMWJU will always stand for the journalists, he said and urged the government to address the difficulties faced by media persons in the state.

As a part of the celebration, senior Journalists and founder members of AMWJU were felicitated.

Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM) president Khogendra Khomdram also attended the celebration as guest of honour along with others.

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