KANGPOKPI, November 28: Newspapers act as the agent that bridges the gap between the government and people by disseminating the information given by the former. Common people come to press to redress their grievances making the responsibilities of the press very `big`™.
This was said by Wankhemcha Shamjai, president, All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union (AMWJU) today at DRDA Conference Hall, Senapati during the launching of The Herald Today, a local newspaper from Senapati.
The AMWJU leader launched the paper in the presence of A John, chairman, Senapati and Karong Area Town Committee, president Naga People`™s Organization (NPO), president, Senapati District Students`™ Association (SDSA), president, Senapati District Olympic Association, president, Poumai Naga Tsii Duumai Me, Editor, Hills Hornbill Express, hosts of journalists and public leaders.
The paper edited and published by John Basho Pou was launched under the motto, `Forward with the People`.
Speaking in the occasion as chief guest Shamjai noted that Imphal has a host of correspondent for national papers and news channel whereas comparatively in the hills the presence of the press is negligible and launching a newspaper is a step forward.
He also mooted opening of a press academy in the State while highlighting the works of the union in attempting to set up a press colony in Imphal.
In the same vein, he also opined that even in Senapati such press colony can be set up in the future while promising that he and the union will extend fullest cooperation not only in news gathering but also extending welfare schemes for the working journalist in the district citing an example on how through the union some members have benefited under `family benefit scheme`™ and `pension scheme`™ for the retired journalists.
Stating that Manipur is a very difficult state for the press to carry out its duty, the AMWJU president enumerated that nine journalists have been killed in the State while performing their duties and 25 others maimed.
He continued that in Manipur there are `professional killers,` `mafia groups` and `politicians with bad intention` making it perilous for the press to carry out its duty.
AMWJU is making `a contingent plan`™ to penetrate in the interior parts of the State to report the plight of the rural people in the form of investigative reporting passionately shared Samjai while lauding the duo newspapers (Hills Hornbill Express and The Herald Today) for their bold step to serve the people and advised to perform duty well.
John Basho Pou, editor, The Herald Today emphasized on the relevance and importance of the media as a change agent in the society before sharing stories of his struggle to start the newspaper and coming thus far.
The editor vowed to do his best to change the society for the better.
A John, chairman, Town Committee speaking on the occasion as guest of honour appealed the media not to sensationalise any issue and avoid creating confusion while publishing news reports.
He pointed out that journalists are attacked from various quarters from the undergrounds and government and to this end, he said `social organisation`™ need to give full support to the press for vibrant society while he remarked that is a moment of joy and pride for Senapati as when Hills Hornbill Express was first launched.