IMPHAL, May 29: Three delegates of AMWJU who attended the 8th Plenary Session of Indian Journalist Union held at Odisha, Bhubaneshwar was warmly received today at Manipur Press Club today. Among the three AMWJU team, the vice president Ratan Luwangcha was selected among the six national secretaries from all over the Nation. Sonia Sorensangbam of Poknafam was also selected as member of the National Gender Team of IJU. Sonia is the first from the northeast to be representing the gender cell.
General Secretary of AMWJU, Jit Ningomba who attended the function voiced that the Union has been warmly received at the IJU for its progress in the last two years. It may be mentioned that AMWJU was formerly affiliated to Indian Federation of Working Journalist (IFWJ) but shifted it affiliation to Indian Journalist Union. The three members were warmly received by AMWJU President, Wangkhemcha Shyamjai, DIPR Director; Salam Somorjit and DIPR Editor Th Shyamo.
According to director Somorjit, the media community is a small one but however a resilient one. The scribes face problems and pressure from all quarters .Despite the low wages, our journalists continue to strive forth to expose the truth. He urged the scribes to emphasize on investigative journalism objectified to expose the flaws in our society. `The true role of the media will emerge then,` he said . Somorjit gave assurance that he will help in establishing a Press Academy which is in the pipeline.
Adding to the statement , AMWJU President said that there was scant development in the media community being affiliated to IFWJ. `Our Union took the right step in being affiliated to IJU, we have progressed much now, specially after being registered under the Labor Act and as a Trade Union,` He also voiced concern raised by Director Somorjit that reporters need to investigate more.
Sonia Sorensengbam , Gender Cell convenor also mentioned that the gender issue must be acknowledged and addressed. She mentioned that the women in the journalistic occupation must be given the proper reservations and benefits in the media houses. `We should not be kept confined nor should we be sent to places which does not suit women journalists,` she added that women should not be afraid to voice their problems and stand strong against any discrimination. She said that all complaints from women journalist will be taken up by her through AMWJU and referred to IJU if necessary.
Vice President of AMWJU and IJU National Secretary, Ratan Luwang detailed on his initiative to affiliate the union to IJU. `We would not have come so far, if we were not with IJU, the last decades, we have scant development being associated with the IFWJ which is nearly defunct,` he added that the IJU addresses the problems affecting scribes almost immediately. The activities of AMWJU in the last two years has been significant enough that one scribe for Manipur has been recognized to be worthy of the National Secretary ship.
It may be mentioned that AMWJU under the aegis of IJU has carried out interactive sessions, held NEC meet, upgraded pension benefits, developed infrastructure of Press Club, availed discounts from hospitals for members ,taken up journalist widow benefit schemes etc.