Scribes exempt flood services
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 30 2025: In view of the looming flood situation in the state, All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM) have jointly decided to relax their ongoing boycott of government-related news to allow coverage of emergency services relating to natural calamities.

The decision was taken during an emergency joint meeting of AMWJU standing committee and EGM held on Friday 8 pm at Manipur Press Club.

After due deliberations and acknowledging comments from members, the two bodies resolved to relax the boycott "with regard to emergency services relating to natural calamities including flood situation, etc., in public interest", said a joint statement.

The media boycott was originally imposed following a unanimous resolution adopted in an emergency general body meeting on May 21, in protest against the harassment of journalists by security forces.

The incident occurred on May 20 when a group of journalists travelling on a Manipur State Transport bus to cover the Shirui Lily Festival were stopped and forced to return from Gwaltabi after security personnel objected to the display of the word "Manipur" on the Manipur State Transport bus.

The incident triggered widespread outrage across the media fraternity and civil societies.

As part of the protest, both AMWJU and EGM suspended coverage of all news and information relating to the state government, and state and central security forces operating in the state until the enquiry committee constituted by the government submits its report and action is taken based on its recommendations.

In the same meeting on May 21, the two apex media bodies had also suggested a modification to the government's order constituting the enquiry committee, seeking an insertion to ensure that the committee would "identify the lapses and recommend penalties against those responsible for the acts of omission or commission" related to the harassment of journalists.

They also urged the government to redeploy the security personnel stationed at Gwaltabi to other locations until the enquiry is completed to prevent further incidents.

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