CABINET WILL DISCUSS TO INCLUDE MEDIA PERSONS UNDER CMHT: CHIEF MINISTER
Imphal, November 16, 2021 (DIPR): National Press Day, 2018 was observed at the 1st Manipur Rifles Banquet, Imphal Today. The observance was organised by Department of Information & Public Relations, Government of Manipur. A workshop on ‘Journalism Ethics and Challenges in Digital Era’ was also held as part of the observance.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest of the function, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh today announced that he will discuss in the next Cabinet Meet to include media persons who are not covered under ‘Ayushman Bharat’ to incorporate them in the ‘Chief Minister Hakshel gi Tengbang’ (CMHT) (benefit cover of Rs 2 lakh). Those registered under Socio Economic Caste Census are eligible to avail benefits under the national health protection scheme ‘Ayushman Bharat’ (benefit cover of Rs 5 lakhs).
Reminding the gathering that during his journalistic career he had received the Best Journalist Award in National Integration and Communal Harmony, the Chief Minister said media persons must be supported and encouraged as the profession is risky, dangerous and full of uncertainty. With the coming of the new government there has been a positive change. We need to treat each other with respect and dignity for constructive human development. The Chief Minister taking opportunity of the National Press Day said that we must work united for a progressive society.
He said every year National Press Day is observed on November 16 as a symbolic of a free and responsible press in India. The power of media is known by all and the award conferred on the day reinforces the importance of the duty of the fourth Estate in a democratic Government.
The Chief Minister appealed to the media fraternity to continue playing the positive role in building national integrity, communal harmony. Expressing concern over the danger of writing news reports based on photographs without verifying facts, he said that it is a worrisome situation as it demoralize a persons’ dignity and is harmful to the society.
Stating that rules and regulations have been implemented to prevent misuse of media platforms including social media, the Chief Minister said that despite culprits booked under the law, the trend is still continuing. Praising media of the State for imparting good work in a mature manner, he said the public should be aware about restrictions and censorship in every aspect including social media.
Congratulating the awardees, he applauded the hard work and dedication of the media and media persons. Stating that the Government will extend all possible help, he said he empathises with the plights of the media fraternity as he was once a member of the fraternity.
Guest of Honour, Shri Karam Shyam, Minister of CAF & PD and Revenue, Manipur said that media plays an important role in the society. Acknowledging the personal sacrifices made by media persons in their profession, he appealed the media fraternity to be neutral, un-bias and fair while reporting news. They should reach out to the people with responsibility and sincerity. He further added that he will render all possible help to the media persons as much as possible in the coming days.
As part of the observance, Manipur State Journalists Award was conferred to media persons of the State in eight (8) different categories. The Awards was conferred for Editorials, news items and articles published during the calendar year 2017 for the following categories – i) Best Editor on National Integration & Communal Harmony to Shri Aribam Robindro Sharma, Editor, Poknapham, ii) Reporting on Public Health & Hygiene to Shri Bijoy Laishram, Senior Reporter, Hueiyen Lanpao, iii) Reporting on Women & Children to Km. Ashem Babycha, Reporter, Hueiyen Lanpao, iv) Reporting on Art & Culture to Shri Naorem Gyanand, Special Correspondent, Hueiyen Lanpao v) Science & Technology Reporting to Shri Kshetri Meghajit, Sub Editor, Naharolgi Thoudang, vi) Parliamentary Reporting to Shri Puyam Romeshwar Singh,Sub Editor, Hueiyen Lanpao vii) Rural Reporting to Shri Sagolsem Bigyan, Staff Reporter, The People’s Chronicle and Sports Reporting to Km. Ratneshowri Goswami, Senior Sports Journalist, Hueiyen Lanpao.
A workshop on ‘Journalism Ethics and Challenges in Digital Era’ was organized in the second session. Shri Pradip Phanjoubam, Editor, Imphal Free Press was the moderator of the workshop while Shri Yumnam Rupachandra, Secretary General, Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) and Shri Peter Adani, Secretary, Information & Publicity, Manipur Hill Journalists Union (MHJU) presented papers.
Shri H. Balkrisna, Director IPR, Smt. W. Phajatombi Devi, Joint Director, IPR, officers & staff of DIPR, eminent media persons of the State and students of State Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication, Manipur University attended the function. (DIPR)