AMWJU celebrates Press Club golden jubilee

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 7 :  The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) celebrated the golden jubilee of Manipur Press Club at the club’s premises on Monday.
Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata, IPR Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, MLA Khumukcham Joykisan and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) president Khogendra Khomdram and AMWJU president Bijoy Kakchingtabam attended the event as chief guest, special guests and president respectively.
Speaking at the event which was opened with offering of floral tributes to deceased journalists, Satyabrata assured all possible assistance from his side towards further development of Manipur Press Club.
People should be made aware of the achievements and all major activities of Manipur Press Club during the last 50 years, he said.
No doubt, authenticated reports and facts must be published in media but there are times when people feel journalists should be more careful in the presentation of news reports, Satyabrata said.
Acknowledging the key roles of print and electronic media, MLA Joykisan opined that it would be better if sensitive reports which can inflame the already tense situation are either censored or left out.
He said that restoration of peace should be the first priority of every section of the society.
“If there is no peace, Manipur will suffer in all sectors. We must unite and work with unity. At the same time, we should have the spirit to forgive and forget”, Joykisan said.
Animosity or conflict among communities living together in the State is not desirable, he said.
Journalists should disseminate constructive or positive news reports to the people boldly, he said.
Joykisan also pledged that he would work at his best level for the welfare of the journalist fraternity.
AMWJU president Bijoy Kakchingtabam said that AMWJU’s constitution has been amended to regulate flow of information.
Saying that the media fraternity too would contribute towards bringing peace in Manipur, Bijoy said that not all new items or reports can be published or broadcasted.
The media houses are working under the Press Council of India’s (PCI) rules, he said.
But sharing of information, pictures and videos on social media has been posing certain challenges to the journalist fraternity, Bijoy added.
Later, Thangjam Dwijamani Memorial Video Journalist Award was presented to Quint video journalist Borun Thokchom.
The award donated by MLA Kh Joykisan carries a cash incentive of Rs 10,000, a citation and a shawl.
Special Jury Video Award was presented to Impact TV video journalist Nameirakpam Bishorjit (Taton). It carries a cash reward of 5,000, a shawl and a citation.
Photo Journalists Award was presented to Sanaleibak daily’s photo journalist cum reporter Robinson Wahengbam.
The award donated by City police station OC N Gokulchandra carries a cash reward of Rs 10,000, a shawl and a citation.
AMWJU’s annual calendar was also released at the event.