Biswajit appeals journalists for balanced reporting
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, November 24 2019: A two-day long National Executive Meeting of Indian Journalists' Union (IJU) started at the conference Hall of MIMS, Manipur University yesterday.

Addressing the gathering, IPR Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh stated that the media fraternity has a key role to play towards bringing a vibrant democratic society.

As journalists are providing voice to the voiceless people, their reports should maintain clarity and should be well balanced, he said.

The Minister also maintained that journalists should perform their duties with dynamic outlook as they have to perform multiple tasks.

He also encouraged journalists to specialise in various areas of reporting.

Highlighting various initiatives taken up by the Government for the welfare of the journalists, he informed that Manipur State Journalist Welfare Scheme was first implemented in 2017 after the formation of new Government.

The scheme is providing one-time financial assistance (ex-gratia) to the accredited and recognised journalists of Manipur.

He asserted that the Government is putting all efforts to increase monthly pension for retired journalist and family pensioners after Cabinet approval.

He observed that the National Press Day is observed on November 16 every year to ensure that the freedom of speech is maintained.

The Minister informed that a site for constructing Press Park and Press Academy has been selected.

He also appealed the members of IJU to visit Manipur Sangai Festival and write about Manipur and its rich cultural heritage.

Speaking on the occasion, vice president of International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Sabina Indrajit highlighted the frequent attacks on journalists carried out in the country and called for setting up of a special Court to look after such cases.

As media is the fourth pillar of democracy, if media is vibrant, democracy will thrive in the country, she said.

President-in-charge of Indian Journalists Union, Geetartha Pathak stated that journalists are paid low and they are not getting any facility.

He maintained that wage board should be implemented in the State and pension for journalists should be increase up to 15,000.President of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union, (AMWJU) Bijoy Kakchingtabam, students of Mass Communication Department, Manipur University and 50 members of Indian Journalists Union from all over India attended the event organised by AMWJU in collaboration with Mass Communication Department, Manipur University.

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