Caution against unverified reports on social media sounded
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 02 2025: Media's role and contributions in shaping a robust society was stressed at the "Media Conclave with HERICOUN" at Jawaharlal Nehru Dance Academy, Imphal today.

Held under the theme "Achangba Khunai Ama Sembada Mediagi Thoudang", the media conclave was attended by Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM) president Khogendra Khomdram, All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) president Bijoy Kakchingtabam, HERICOUN president Yumkhaibam Surjitkumar, members of civil society organisations and many journalists.

Addressing the gathering, EGM president Khogendra Khomdram underscored the importance of media persons reporting responsibly.

Caution against unverified reports on social media sounded

He recalled difficulties media houses faced when reporting incidents in Manipur after May 3, 2023 violence.

When violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, media organisations here adhered to their ethics and did their best to report responsibly, taking every precaution not to fan the violence further and spread hatred towards any community, he said.

Days into the conflict, the media here didn't even mention names or particulars of communities in conflict, carefully considering the ramifications it would have, he said.

The media here didn't mention Kuki or Meitei in their reports for it would have fanned the conflict.

It was much later in the conflict that media houses started mentioning names of the communities involved, he said.

When violence was at its peak, media in Imphal were wrongly branded as "Meitei media" based on concocted notions and lies, and even the Editors Guild of India published a one sided, biased report, he said.

A delegation of the Editors' Guild of India had then visited Manipur, and they met with members of the Editors' Guild of Manipur and All Manipur Working Journalists' Union.

EGM and AMWJU provided the Editors' Guild of India with factual ground reports backed up by videos and images.

The delegation also visited some hill areas during their visit.

After returning to Delhi, the EGI published a report on the Manipur conflict, discarding factual reports and data provided by the EGM and AMWJU.

While their report was one-sided, it even tried to report the burning of a forest office as a Kuki house burned by Meiteis, Khogendra said.

While it was beyond their scope of duty, some Central security forces too tried to interfere with the reporting of the violence in favour of one community, Khogendra added.

The EGM president also spoke about emerging alternate media and the need for proper guidelines to streamline uncensored and uncontrolled publishing of unedited reports on social media platforms including on YouTube.

Impersonating media persons, many individuals are uploading unverified, uncensored and unedited videos and reports on social media, YouTube which may have negative impact on the society.

There is a need for streamlining such media with the assistance of civil society organisations and the public, he said.

Khogendra also assured media support to HERICOUN in efforts to build a strong and robust Manipur society.

AMWJU president Bijoy Kakchingtabam also echoed similar concerns regarding the emergence of "media" on social media platforms.

Many are uploading unverified, unedited videos, images and reports on social media.

While some people think that such information are more attractive than conventional media, they may have devastating impacts on society, Bijoy said.

When publishing a report, media persons or organisations consider the pros and cons, and the kind of impact it would have on the people or the State.

For example, media organisations refrain from publishing information that may foment hatred or conflict between communities.

But, the so- called media on social media platforms have no such ethics that would stop them from publishing unverified and unedited reports that harm the society, Bijoy said.

HERICOUN president Yumkhaibam Surjitkumar Khuman said his organisation would assist EGM and AMWJU in facing baseless allegations that have been levelled against them regarding the Manipur conflict.

Surjitkumar said HERICOUN strongly condemns Kuki narco-terrorists targeted attack on journalists.

He urged media persons to be more proactive in reporting events related to illegal immigration and encroachment.

He also sought support and cooperation of media organisations in promoting culture and traditions.

Journalists were appreciated and honoured by presenting them with books and pens during the event.