IMPHAL, 16 November: The media which is considered the 4th pillar of the society is also an important tool in a democratic country and plays an important role in the development of a society, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said today at the National Press Day observation at Manipur Press Club.
Eight journalists were also conferred with the Manipur State Journalists`™ Awards during the observation.
The observation was organised by the Department of Information and Public Relations.
In his speech, the Chief Minister called for a balanced and fair media reporting of sensitive issues.
He further congratulated the State Journalists awardees.
Elaborating further on the importance of the media, he suggested the IPR Director to identify a location for the construction of a Press Guest House soon.
Education minister M Okendro in his speech urged the media to exclude carrying sensitive reports which are inflammatory and could create undue chaos in the society.
The State, he said faces six months of rainfall and another six months of bandhs and blockades which hinder developmental work in the State.
All Manipur Working Journalists Union president Wangkhemcha Shyamjai also attended the function.
The Manipur State Journalist Award (Editor) was received by Naharolgi Thoudang editor Khoirom Loyalakpa.
The other seven journalists who received the Manipur State Journalists Award are Angom Ranjit (Art and Culture), Laishram Keshonanda (Science & Technology Reporting), Sorensangbam Sonia (Parliamentary Reporting) both from Poknapham, (Public Health and Hygiene), Wangkhem Rishikesh, Sports Journalist of Hueiyen Lanpao (Sports), Mutum Rameshchandra (Public Health and Hygiene) and Ashem Babycha (Women and Child Reporting) from the same daily.
Each award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000 each along with a shawl and a citation.
According to a DIPR statement, though the Manipur State Journalists Award was given only to the editors annually with a cash prize of Rs 5,000, the Directorate of Information and Public Relations has been giving away the Manipur State Journalists Award for other categories since 2008 with a cash prize of Rs 25,000 each. The first Manipur State Journalists Award was given away in 1994.