"Social media journalism impacting mainstream media"
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 02 2025: All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) president Bijoy Kakchingtabam has remarked the need for all concerned to understand that releasing or posting news on social media without any scrutiny is negatively affecting those working in mainstream media.

He made the statement at the one-day media conclave under the theme 'Achangba Khunnai Ama Sembada Mediagi Thoudang (role of media in building a strong society)', organised by Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) at Manipur Dance College, Palace Compound on Sunday.

Bijoy said that a lot of evidence is needed when publishing a report.

Social media journalism impacting mainstream media

However, when media outside the state publish news based on false or unverified factors, the effect is borne by the media in the state.

He mentioned the example of the report published by Editors Guild of India (EGI) repeatedly labelling the media in the state as 'Meitei Media' .

As such, Editors Guild Manipur, (EGM) and AMWJU filed a case against EGI at the Supreme Court.

Reflecting on impacts on media from different aspects, he said that with the increase in social media usage, there is an increase in posts on sensitive issues on social media.

However, these reports are most of the time not scrutinised or verified, consequently affecting and diluting credibility of those working in mainstream media under a set of Code of Conduct and ethics.

On top of this, some You-Tubers and social media administrators have been found wearing press/media jackets to access secured premises to cover news, which is unfortunate.

This is not meant to discourage them but when reports are published without verification, it is the actual journalists who are questioned.

Taking the changes in consideration, AMWJU has introduced new rules into its constitution to allow the digital media to join the Union and work under a set of guidelines, he added.

Stating that the media plays an important role in the progress and betterment of the society, Bijoy observed that some newspapers tend to sensationalise news.

Instead there is a need for radical journalism, he stressed, adding that only when young journalists who care for the state and society join the held, can the society become strong and impenetrable.

In his speech, EGM president Khogendra Khomdram urged CSOs of the state to take proactive role in developing the society for the better.

He also urged the CSOs to assist the media in performing their duties.

He continued that if the media had not reported the conflict till date without any prejudice or bias, the situation would have been far worse than the present.

However, parachute journalists from outside the state have been publishing one-sided reports of the conflict, in an attempt to misguide the people and direct the conflict to the wrong direction.

Despite this, the Manipuri media have been wielding their pens to write the truth amid the difficulties and pressure by external and internal forces, Khogendra maintained, while clarifying that there are also reports which cannot be published.

Manipur is a highly sensitive place and as such, journalists have to consider a lot of things seriously when reporting the news.

As such, he urged the CSOs of the state to help journalists from being silenced.

During the function, which was presided over by HERICOUN president Yumkhaibam Surjitkumar, simple gifts were presented to the media persons who came to cover the event.