Lift internet ban to media houses call given
EGM, AMWJU approach CM, IPR Minister
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 17 2023:
The All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM) have written to Chief Minister N Biren Singh through IPR Minister to lift the ban on internet services for media houses and clear National Highway for free and safe transport of press materials.
If no visible action is taken immediately to restore the internet services, all the media houses will cease work from May 18, they said.
In the letter they shot to the Chief Minister today, the media bodies stressed that the ban put on internet services in Manipur due to present law and order situation has severely impacted the working of all media houses, both print and electronics.
Above this, the print media are running out of news print (printing papers) and other printing materials due to the blockade imposed on the National Highway.
Several truckloads of newsprint are stuck at Mao, said the media bodies urging the Government to clear the blockade.
Requesting the Government to immediately restore the internet services which were available at the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Manipur Press Club and also lift the internet ban on media houses-at least those with lease lines connections to enable them to provide services to the general public as usual, AMWJU and EGM intimated that they have decided to cease work from May 18 onward if no visible action is taken immediately.
"We understand the difficulty that the public might face due to non publication/ broadcasting of news is likely to at time such as these.
We truly regret the outcome of our decision, but this Government must take the responsibility for the same.
We hope you and your Government will understand the situation and act accordingly," the media bodies said in the letter.