Senior scribe awarded at World Press Day event
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 04 2025: As in other parts of the globe, Sahitya Thoupang Lup, Imphal observed the World Press Day 2025 at Manipur Press Club here on Saturday.

During the observance, the Thiyam Premkumar Award was presented to senior journalist Iboyaima Laithangbam.

The award conferred in memory of Information and Publicity Relations former publicity officer Thiyam Premkumar, carries cash prize of Rs 10,000, honorary shawl and citation.

The observance was attended by Paomee Welfare Foundation chairman Ningthoukhongjam Tombi Raj as chief guest and AIR, Imphal assistant director (news) Thokchom Jogendrajit Singh as functional president.

In his speech, Tombi Raj informed that the theme for this year's observance is "Reporting in the Brave New World", highlighting the impact of artificial intelligence on press freedom.

"While the news communication rules on WhatsApp have been notified, it has been revealed that the government plans to keep records of all those communicating on the platform.

This is a huge challenge to the press freedom," he noted.

Mentioning reports that social media platforms would be closely monitored, he stressed the need to stand against these new rules of the new government.

He termed as worrisome the policy to connect all devices to the system of the Ministry concerned and raised questions about freedom of press, especially publication of news critical of the government.

"Thus, the new theme highly contradicts the rules of the new government," he remarked.

Tombi Raj also congratulated Iboyaima Laithangbam on receiving the award.

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