NE scribes' workshop starts in Shillong
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Shillong, June 09 2013:
Journalists from the North Eastern states and other parts of the country converged in Shillong today to take part in a two-day regional seminar-cum-workshop organized by the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN), a division of the International Federation of Journalist.
Meghalaya Labour Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh, inaugurated the seminar at the Shillong Club and assured that the State Government would endeavour to look into enhancing measures for the welfare, including housing facilities and health insurance besides safety of working journalists not only in the state but in the region as a whole.
"Though the profession of journalism is somehow very attractive, they lead a very difficult life," the minister, who herself said that she was basically a journalist, observed.
Padmashree recipient journalist Patricia Mukhim emphasized on the responsibilities of journalists towards the society as a whole even as she called upon the scribes to "take to books" in order to remain well informed.
Secretary of the Indian Journalists Union, Geetartha Pathak, in his concept note, addressed various issues confronting journalists including economic exploitation and the challenges of working in a conflict zone besides media ethics and the importance of people's right to information for strengthening democracy.
The Shillong Press Club president David Laitphlang expressed optimism that the seminar would bring to light several issues relating to the working conditions of journalists in the north east and that the state governments in the region would also take not of these and follow-up with requisite action.
The seminar, the first of its kind to be held in Meghalaya is being organized in collaboration with the Shillong Press Club and with active support of the Indian Journalists Union and the Meghalaya Government.