Scribes to stay away from I-day function
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 12 2011:
Decrying the attitude of the Government to Manipur, the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) has decided not to cover the Independence Day celebration on August 15 .
The decision was taken during a meeting today.
The decision of AMWJU came in the backdrop of the verification being conducted by police/CID, who went to the respective houses of journalists whose names have been submitted through DIPR for covering the Independence Day function.
Reporters who were out on duty and not available when the police came for the verification exercise were instructed to come to the police station along with their residential certificates.
Decrying the suspicious nature of the Government, AMWJU took note of the fact that the press cards are issued to mediapersons by DIPR after proper police verification and the journalists deputed for covering the Independence Day function are those recognised by DIPR.
If at all the verification is essential, then the police/CID could have gone to the respective press offices or through the editors.
To put to rest the suspicion and fear of the Government, the meeting resolved that no journalists would cover the Independence Day function.