Don't disrupt working of journalists : MIYC

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 17 : The Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC) has came out strongly against the disruption caused at the office of The Sangai Express and called upon all to refrain from any activities that could hinder the working of media houses and journalists in the State in any circumstances.
Media is known as the fourth pillar of the Nation and these news dailies, TV channels and news firms are the informer, educator and entertainer of the society, noted MIYC in a press release.
Without the media, which is a key element of development, democracy would plunge towards autocracy and dictatorship, said MIYC while noting the huge responsibility the journalists are shouldering in the society. But since decades, State journalists have been at the receiving end and many have been imprisoned, shot dead and assaulted on multiple occasions, said MIYC while urging all to give respect and regards that journalists are due.
The State has been burning since May 3 last year in the "Kuki terrorists' aggressive push to establish a Christian Nation- Zalen'gam by carving out lands from Bangladesh, Myanmar and India" and the recent brutal murder of 6 women and children after they were held hostage on November 11 last has sparked a public outrage leading to protests and storming of residences of Legislators since yesterday. Expressing dissent, protesting the heinous crime and calling upon the MLAs/ Ministers to act is acceptable but the destruction caused at the office of the local daily and disrupting the service the journalists are rendering is condemnable, it said.
Media is the mirror of society and has been cleansing and eradicating social evils and crimes, educating and informing people of all ages with the day to day happening across the globe including events that are hazardous and life threatening, it said. Print and electronic media have been covering development and latest educational contents, be it science and technology, health, politics besides the day to day affairs thereby acting as a guiding light to the youth, it said.
For their selfless and dedicated services, journalists are honoured with prestigious awards, said MIYC while reiterating its appeal to give utmost respect to the working journalists, safeguard media houses and refrain from any activities that would hinder their functioning in any circumstances. MIYC further appealed to all to also ensure smooth working of hawkers and all those working in the media firms.