Self-styled YouTubers 'defaming' media: AMWJU president
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 09 2024:
While media professionals are bound by the guidelines laid down by the Press Council of India (PCI) including tailoring news for the local audience, some self-styled YouTubers have been spreading unedited news, thereby portraying traditional media practitioners in a poor light, cautioned All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) president Bijoy Kakchingtabam.
He made the statement at a one-day discourse on 'Media and International Humanitarian Law' organised jointly by AMWJU and Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC) in commemoration of the 76 Years of Genocide Convention, at Thangjing hall of Manipur Press Club on Monday.
Bijoy continued that since 1949, the state has seen several incidents of genocide such as the Malom Massacre, Heirangoithong killing, Chanu Rose incident and others.
In the past, it used to be the persons in uniform who carried out the genocide, but now it is those backed by the 'uniformed' who are carrying out the genocide.
He said that reporters encounter difficulties covering news on the field due to the prevailing conflict, apart from pressure exerted not to publish certain news by the government or any others.
While all media persons abide by the PCI guidelines in disseminating news in addition to making some local adjustments, there are some self-styled YouTubers who release unedited news, consequently tarnishing the image of media not dispensing duty as mandated or expected, he said.
Further informing that AMWJU and Manipur (EGM) had challenged the Editors' Guild of India (EGI) for portraying the journalists of Manipur in poor light in view of the prevailing conflict in the state, Bijoy called upon, all working in media to refrain from differentiating on the basis of community, caste or creed and instead strive for a united front, apart from learning about international humanitarian law, war crime and genocide in detail.
In his speech, EGM president Khogendra Khomdram said that the current conflict is a genocide and war crime committed by one community against another.
He continued that the blockading of the national highways, which is the lifeline of the state, is another form of genocide.
Stating that the media plays an important role in bringing the society to the right path, he said that media persons need to understand in detail the human rights and international humanitarian law, especially in a conflict zone like Manipur.
The current issues faced by the state, the sufferings of the people and the obstruction to agricultural activities due to the conflict are a violation of international humanitarian law, he maintained.
"This needs to be looked into detail considering the limitations faced by journalists and news firms in conveying the same to the people, " Khogen said, while adding that it would be highly beneficial for experts to pen their thoughts and inform the same to the masses.
The discourse was also attended by EGM secretary general Yumnam Rupachandra and Manipur University Law Department head Dr Yumnam Pre-mananda as resource persons.