IMPHAL, Nov 16: The IPR minister, TN Haokip said the state media must live up to the reputation of the profession of being the Fourth Estate of democracy.
He was speaking a chief guest at the observation function of the foundation day of Press Council of India, PCI, which is observed as “National Press Day”.
Today’s function was organized by Directorate of Information and Public Relation (DIPR) at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, Imphal.
A one-day seminar on the topic “Media and Present Society” was also held as a part of the observation.
The observation function was graced by IPR minister TN Haokip, Khogendra Khomdram, president of All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU), and L. Lakher, commissioner of IPR, as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking at the occasion, IPR minister TN Haokip stated that the press being the fourth estate of democracy plays an important role in the society and must strive to help in bringing about radical changes in the society through its information dissimination.
He said even that the great dictator Adolph Hitler feared the greatness and power of press.
Journalists of the state should have professional ethics and serve the people by providing news and other valuable reports on development programmes of the government, Haokip asserted.
Delivering the presidential address, Khogendra Khomdram stated that the state government should take up more programmes for the welfare of the working journalists of the state.
The pension scheme and other funds meant for the journalists of the state have to be reviewed by the government from time to time, he said.
The commissioner of IPR, L. Lakher maintained that the journalists should avoid sensationalization of news items as far as possible. The journalists of the state have done commendable jobs despite threats and intimidations served to them from various angles, he noted.
The resource persons of the one-day seminar on “Media and the Present Society” were Salam Bharatbhusan, Khaidem Mani and MC Arun and it was moderated by Seram Mangi Singh, IIS (retd).
At the seminar, Salam Bharat Bhusan dwelled on the history of press/newspaper in India right from the establishment of “Bengal Gazette” in 1780 up to the formation of Press Council of India including the present problems and prospects of press in the state.
He also highlighted the importance of press/media in the present society of digital revolution and globalization.
MC Arun talked on the importance of media in the whole process of socialization. The journalists have been entrusted the crucial task of reforming the society through their valuable information service and so they should play constructive roles in the society, he noted.