Two reporters of Hueiyen Lanpao among 8 feted with State Journalist Award
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 16 2011: Two staff reporters of Hueiyen Lanpao, namely Amukhomba Ngangbam and Ningthoukhongjam Sanajaoba Meetei have been honoured with the State Journalist Award, 2011 on the occasion of National Press Day, 2011 observance held at Manipur Press Club here today.

Among eight other media persons selected for the State Journalist Award, 2011, Amukhomba was feted with the honour in Science and Technology Reporting and Sanajaoba Meetei in Rural Reporting.

Other recipients of the award are RK Manisana, Laishram Keshonanda, S Sonia and Sarangthem Johnson, all staffers of Poknapham, in Sports Reporting, Reporting on Art and Culture, Reporting on Public Health and Hygiene and Parliamentary Reporting respectively and Ngasekpam Liklaileima of Sangai Express in Reporting with special reference to women and children.

Editor of Naharolgi Thoudang Khoirom Loyalakpa was also felicitated with Best Editor Award on National Integration and communal harmony at the observance.

Each of the Awards carries a cash reward of Rs 25,000 and a citation and the awardees have been selected by a panel of judges after detailed screening from numerous applicants.

Organised under the auspices of Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Government of Manipur, today's National Press Day observance function was attended by Minister of Information and Public Relations TN Haokip as Chief Guest, Commissioner of Information and Public Relations L Lakher as Functional President and President of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union A Mobi as Guest of Honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister TN Haokip observed that inclusion of Science and Technology Reporting as a new category of the State Journalist Award from this year is an indication that Manipur has been able to reap the benefit of the development taking place in the field of science and technology at least to some extent.

The monetary value of the awards may be inadequate, but it is the quality of the reporting that matters, the Minister said.

Lauding the efforts of media persons in a strife-torn state like Manipur, Minister Haokip noted that media is a watch dog and no individual or group should give undue interference in the functioning of media.

The Minister also assured to look into the possibility of hiking the pension amount of the journalists in Manipur.

In his presidential address, President of AMWJU A Mobi observed that the issue of paid news which has come up amidst the efforts being made for freedom of media in Manipur is unfortunate.

Media persons should think of 'us' before 'I' in performing their duties.

He also expressed appreciation to the government for presenting award to media persons so as to encourage them.

Speaking as Guest of Honour of the function, Commissioner Lakher observed that the power of media is very forceful and could be misused.

Journalists in Manipur should work within the guidelines of Press Council of India.

In connection with the National Press Day, a symposium on 'Media as an instrument of public accountability' was held with Prof Amar Yumnam of Department of Economics, Manipur University; retired News Editor of AIR Imphal Seram Mangi and News Editor of ISTV local cable network Rupachandra Yumnam as resource persons.

Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani moderated the symposium.

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