Press day held, awards conferred to 8 journalists

Imphal: National Press Day 2022 was observed at Palace Auditorium, MSFDS, Palace Gate, Imphal on Wednesday organised by department of Information and Public Relations, Manipur.

A seminar on “The Media’s Role in Nation Building” was also held as part of the observance. Salam Bharat Bhusan, veteran journalist and former editor, Huiyen Lanpao Daily was the moderator of the seminar. K. Sarojkumar Sharma, senior journalist Peter Adani, editor, Hills Hornbill Express were the resource persons.

As part of the observance, Manipur State Journalists Award were conferred to media persons of the state working in different field. The Awards that were conferred for editorials, news items and articles published during the calendar year 2021 for the categories – Best Editor on National Integration and Communal Harmony to  Ningombam Hemantakumar, editor, Sanaleibak Daily, Reporting on Public Health and Hygiene to Moirangthem Khagemba Meetei, reporter, Sanaleibak Daily, Rural Reporting to Moirangthem Khagemba Meetei, Reporter, Sanaleibak Daily, Reporting on Art and Culture to Robinson Wahengbam, staff reporter, Sanaleibak Daily, Parliamentary Reporting to Taorem Bishwajit Singh, sub-editor, Sanaleibak Daily, Science and Technology Reporting to Maibam Kenedy Singh, reporter, Sanaleibak Daily, Reporting on Women and Children to Rabi Takhellambam, reporter, Sanaleibak Daily and Sports Reporting to Khumukcham Joychand Singh, sub-editor of Hueiyen Lanpao.

Works and YAS minister Govindas Konthoujam said from time immemorial media has played an immense role in nation building. The credibility of the media houses has been lowered due to the trend of paid news and social media intrusion. There is need for monitoring from both the government and media houses for transparent functioning of the media fraternity, he added.

Stating that despite the cases of assault and mishandling of journalist has been recorded, the minister said the courage of journalist has not been dampened. He added that media should be taken care of apart from its recognition and the government is committed to the welfare of the people of the state which includes the media fraternity.

IPR minister Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh said with the increase in the number of media houses in the state, the authenticity of the news before penning needs to be checked. He said the speed of disseminating news is faster because of the technology and it may spread false concept to the people. The minister added that negative news is topping the positive news which impacts the layman and we need to change this trend. He appealed the media houses to curtail the news while presenting to the masses.

Regarding dissemination of news and other social issues through social media, he said streamlining social media considering legal terms without complicacy is the need of the hour.

For the welfare of the media fraternity of the state regarding pension scheme and welfare scheme provided through DIPR, he said he will apprise the issue to the government as early as possible.

Fishery minister H. Dingo Singh said media plays a big role in the welfare of the state, Acknowledging the dedication of the media fraternity, he said he will also address the grievances of the media persons to the government.

The observance was attended by Wangkhemcha Shamjai, president, AMWJU, Khogendra Khomdram, president, EGM, Peter Adani, president, MHJU as guest of honors. Eminent media persons of the state, officials and staff of Information and Public Relations, students of Journalism and Mass Communication, Manipur University and State Institute of Journalism, DIPR also attended the observance among others.