National Executive Meeting of IJU inaugurated... Minister Biswajit appeals to journalists for a well balanced report with clarity

The Assam Tribune, IMPHAL, Nov 23 - Issues related to the journalists of the North East, particularly those in Manipur, were discussed at the opening session of the two-day national executive council (NEC) meeting of the Indian Journalists’ Union (IJU) here today.

Many senior journalists from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, besides key functionaries of the IJU, deliberated on issues such as low salaries and lack of facilities being faced by the journalist community in the country.

Sharing his views, Manipur-based senior journalist and author Pradip Phanjoubam highlighted the major challenges and vulnerable areas for journalists in this era of technology.

He, however, said that introduction of media fellowship programmes for local journalists by the State Environment Department and the newly-formed Khelen Thokchom Trust is a good sign as the journalists are being provided with some financial help for covering environmental issues.

B Lahkar, retired journalist from Assam, spoke on the issues faced by journalists in his State. A senior journalist from Mumbai highlighted the issue of intervention by the corporate world.

Earlier, Information and Public Relations Minister Th Biswajit Singh inaugurated the meeting at the conference hall of the MIMS, Manipur University.

In his speech, the minister highlighted the steps taken by the State government for the welfare of journalists. He also appealed to the journalists to give voice to the voiceless and make their reports clear and balanced.

IMPHAL, 23rd Nov: Information and Public Relations (IPR) minister Thongam Biswajit Singh inaugurated a two-day long National Executive Meeting of Indian Journalists’ Union (IJU) at the conference Hall of MIMS, Manipur University on Saturday.

Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Biswajit said that the Manipur Sangai Festival which is set to begin from Sunday onwards is being organised to help improve the state’s economy. He further said that the state government would support COCOMI in all its people-centric activities and urged the committee to extend their support to the festival.Recalling the CM’s appeal to COCOMI to withdraw to its restrictions over the Festival, the minister said that the appeal was made on behalf of the Council of Ministers and other elected representatives and not against COCOMIPointing out that the duration of the festival had been shortened for this year, Biswajit remarked that every problem has a solution, and the CM could bring back good news on his return from New Delhi. He then contended that the state government would extend support to all COCOMI activities and appealed to committee concerned to help in organising the festival.Biswajit stated that the media fraternity has a key role to play towards bringing vibrant democratic society. Since journalists are responsible for providing a voice to the voiceless people, their reports should maintain clarity and be well-balanced, he asserted.He then maintained that journalists should perform their duties with a dynamic outlook, as they have to perform multiple tasks, apart from encouraging them to specialise in various areas of reporting.Highlighting the various initiatives taken up by the Government for the welfare of the Journalists, Biswajit informed that the Manipur State Journalists’ Welfare Scheme was implemented for the first time in 2017 after the formation of new Government. Since then, the scheme has been providing one-time financial assistance to the accredited and recognised journalists of Manipur, and one time ex-gratia relief on an urgent basis to journalists and their families.The minister also confided that the government is making necessary effort to increase monthly pension for retired journalists and family pensioners, adding that they would be increased soon after cabinet approval.Recounting that National Press Day is observed on November 16 every year to ensure that freedom of speech is maintained, the minister informed that a suitable site for a Press Park and Press Academy has been identified. He then urged journalists to work with a vision for a better society, while also appealing to the members of IJU, who came from across the country, to attend Manipur Sangai Festival and write about Manipur and its rich cultural heritage.In her speech as one of the guests of honour, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) vice president Sabina Indrajit highlighted the frequent attacks on journalists carried out in the country. She then called for setting up special court to look after such cases.“The media is the fourth pillar of democracy. If the media continues to be vibrant, democracy will thrive in the country”, she asserted.Speaking as a guest of honour, IJU president in-charge Geetartha Pathak urged for implementation of a wage board in the State along with increasing the pension for journalists up to Rs 15,000, adding that journalists are lowly paid and deprived of various facilities.Delivering the presidential speech, All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union, (AMWJU) president Bijoy Kakchingtabam stated that Manipur Working Journalists’ Scheme was introduced in the year, 1996. He also highlighted various welfare schemes implemented by the government for the welfare of the journalists in the state.The inaugural function was attended by members of AMWJU, officials and students of Mass Communication Department, MU and 50 IJU members from all over India.The meeting is being organised by AMWJU in collaboration with Mass Communication Department, Manipur University.As part of the inaugural session, a seminar was organised with Geetartha Pathak as the moderator wherein senior journalist and author Pradip Phanjoubam and IFJ vice president Sabina Indrajit respectively spoke on the topics of ‘Professional Standards of Journalist In Manipur’ and ‘Professional Integrity and Ethics of Indian Journalist’ as resource persons.