Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 14 2009:
Ensnarled between diktats of an armed group and law enforcing agency of the State Government, yet again, an emergency general body meeting convened today by All Manipur Working Journalists' union (AMWJU) has resolved to appeal to both parties to exercise restrain and enable media organisations work without inhibition.
A resolution copy circulated to the media establishments of the State took grim note of the proscribed PREPAK directing daily newspapers to publish contents of a particular statement issued on February 13 and police teams raiding newspaper offices and seizing the said statements to prevent publication of the same.
In addition to the meeting strongly protesting such intimidatory tactics, gathering of the scribes this afternoon at the Manipur Press Club also resolved that taking into account the prevailing conflict situation in the State it had become inevitable for close rapport and periodical interactions between the AMWJU and the editors to work out policy on exercising editorial rights for smooth functioning of the media.
moreover, it had been decided to resume publication of newspapers and ISTV news channel with immediate effect.
Media establishments of the State had ceased publication of newspapers/news broadcast on February 13 owing to the threats/intimidations.
The PREPAK organisation has also been specifically appealed to refrain from any act that would hamper smooth functioning of media establishments.
A workshop to chalk out editorial guideline would also be organised during the holiday period of Yaoshang festival, an AMWJU release added.