Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 13:
The issue pertaining to frequent instances of dictating newspapers by armed or unarmed organisations claiming to be working for the welfare of the State to publish or not to publish certain news items, thereby infringing on the freedom of press in Manipur was deliberated at a joint meeting of the Standing Committee of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Editors today and among other decisions, the emergency session decided to entertain comments/statements of all concerned subject to discretion of Editors of respective newspapers.
At the meeting, members present unanimously resolved to ensure freedom of media in Manipur.
While noting that media in Manipur had been contributing its mite in executing its bouden duty of disseminating information and gaining strength as a result of respect accorded to it by the people and organisations armed and unarmed, the meeting expressed unhappiness that of late media houses have been constricted from functioning properly due to frequent instances of dictating terms to publish or not to publish statements from some quarters.
In such a circumstance, the meeting decided to withdraw the earlier stand taken by AMWJU to refrain from publishing any press releases related to charges and counter charges of the certain organisations and instead make it the discretion of the Editors concerned to decide whether to publish such press releases or not.
In case of continued pressures, the meeting decided not to publish such press releases until the diktat is withdrawn.
And in case if any of the Editor is targeted in this regard, the meeting decided that the whole media community in Manipur would stand and act unitedly.
Today's meeting also made a fervent appeal to all the organisations to respect the resolutions adopted.