TN voices on free media
Seminar recommends information cell in all department
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 16 2008: "MEDIA BELONG to all of us.

The media do not belong to a particular organisation, a government or an individual.

Let media function freely and fearlessly without any interference".

This was voiced by the state Information Minister, TN Haokip addressing a large gathering at the Manipur Press Club here today during the inaugural function of one-day seminar on "Government, People and Mass Media Relationship" organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Manipur.

IPR Minister, TN Haokip (R) and Commissioner, IPR, P Bharat at the Press Club

Speaking as the chief guest, TN Haokip further said that he, being formerly a journalist himself, loved the media family.

But in Manipur, the media community was facing a lot of difficulties with the dos and donts from the government's side on one hand and pressures from different groups on the other.

To work under such circumstances was really difficult.

If the media are not allowed to function freely, there would not be democracy.

At the same time, the media should also play their roles rightly to strengthen democracy, the IPR Minister said.

He further pointed out that businessmen are the owners of big newspapers like The Times of India.

As such, according to their own policies, some are pro-government and some are anti-government.

Though the All India Radio and the Doordarshan have been made autonomy, their functioning is not fully satisfactory.

In this context, what the BBC is doing is worth emulating.

The main function of the media should be performed in the interest of the masses.

Based on this fact, the press is regarded as the fourth estate in democracy, Minister Haokip affirmed.

Commissioner, IPR, P Bharat, who presided over the inaugural function said, it should be really difficult for the media in Manipur to work amidst the pressures of the government on one side and the non-government groups on the other.

However, it is not in the interest of all for the press to publish as they wish in the name of freedom of press.

The press ought to work under the rules and regulations laid down by the Press Council of India, he said.

He expressed desire for the press of Manipur to investigate and publish what the state government is taking up, what is going to be taken up, what loopholes and lapses are there in the works taken up by the government etc.

He also emphasised the need for strong co-ordination amongst the various departments of the government.

The Commissioner felt that the media of Manipur are not weak any longer, in fact they are very strong and added that the media in the state have given up the earlier traditional method of printing newspapers, instead the media have all been computerised.

Four senior media persons presented their resource papers at the seminar.

Correspondent of The Hindu and The Frontline, Iboyaima Laithangbam read out his paper on "Role of Mass Media in Transforming the Society," former ANE of All India Radio, Imphal, Regional News Unit, Seram Mangi, retired Indian Information Service (IIS), read out his paper on "Strategy of Government Publicity and Feedback Service," Deputy Director (News), AIR, Imphal, BB Sharma presented his paper on "Ethics in Journalism and Its Importance" and APO of DIPR, A Balkrishna presented a paper on "Traditional Media and Uses in Manipur".

Former editor of Prajatantra and ISTV News, Kangujam Madhumangol was the moderator of the seminar where about 100 persons including public leaders, doctors, top civil officials, NGOs, students and media persons were present.

Later, after marathon discussions and interactions between the resource persons and the delegates, three recommendations were mooted and adopted unanimously.

The recommendations are : 1.The government be urged to appoint or depute a media/publicity officer or to set up a media/information cell in every Department with qualified and trained media professionals.

.2The government be urged to depute regular orientation training for media persons/officers of the state government for more effective public relations.

3.The departments of the state be urged to publish their activities and achievements through a Quaterly News Letter to be published by the concerned to inform the people and the media.