Journalists from across the state participate in first Meghalaya Media Meet in Shillong
Shillong, Sept 20: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today said that journalists in the state should be recognised for their contributions.
“It will be our endevour to ensure that the recommendations of the press fraternity is considered by the government for their welfare,” he said, while addressing at the first Meghalaya Media Meet, held at Hotel Vivanta in Shillong.
“We want to provide our journalists, a platform to engage and discuss,” he added.
The day-long media meet was attended by journalists from across the state. The theme of the programme was “Redefining Journalism in the Digital Age”.
The programme was also attended by Minister Information and Public Relations, Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Commissioner and Secretary IPR, Vijay Mantri and Director IPR Maltus Sangma.
On the role of reporting and evolving media environment, the Chief Minister said, “The journalists requires to upgrade their skills, in sync with the latest technology that is evolving in the field of media. As a government, we shall organise trainings, workshops and exposure trips for the media professionals.”
Talking on criticism by media, the Chief Minister said, “The media should draw boundaries between information, news and opinions. We are open to criticism… the role of media is very important in the democracy, and we take the opinions expressed in media in a positive manner”.
Urging media to draw their boundaries, while disseminating news, he said, “Today an opinion or an information is looked upon as news and it is important to have a line of differentiation.”
On building trust by the media, the Chief Minister said, “We can sensationalise a news, which may give traction… media should play a responsible role and allow the society to consume news in the right perspective. An informed society is dependant largely on the way news and information is consumed”.
Minister IPR Dr Ampareen Lyngdoh assured that the government will look into the concerns of the media fraternity and will engage with the press to discuss on welfare measures.
The Minister also said that topics like Ethical Responsibility, Mobile-Citizen Journalism and Artificial Intelligence are all matters that need discussion and deliberation.
“Ethical responsibility is something beyond any constitutional provision and we have to ensure that the young journalists conform to ethical consideration so that we may have a media which is acceptable, palatable and non-judgmental,” she said.
Eight senior journalists were felicitated for their dedicated service in the field of Journalism. The journalists who were felicitated were P Marwein, Editor, Youth Today, Subroto Bhattacharjee, Bureau Chief, UNI, R M Shabong, Editor, U Rupang, M M Thaiang, Editor, Yutip, Manas Choudhury, Former Editor, The Shillong Times, Sanat Chakraborty, Independent Journalist, Linda Chhakchhuak, Independent Journalist and Sanjib Bhattacharjee, Photographer, The Shillong Times.
The Chief Minister also announced an amount of one lakh from CMSG for the eight journalists.
Navigating the Evolving Media Landscape: Challenges, advantages & Future, Press Laws & Ethics, Welfare Schemes for Journalists under Government of India and Visual Content Verification were topics that were discussed during the panel discussion.
The meeting was attended by print and electronic journalists and officials of Department of Information & Public Relations from across the state.
