Imphal: Sub Committee on Safety of Journalists of Press Council of India (PCI) on Wednesday interacted with journalists and members of journalists unions to discuss about media safety. Convenor of the Sub Committee K Amarnath along with five other members took detailed report of the media safety.
All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) president W Shamjai said over 40 militant groups operate in the state coupled with enforcement of controversial law like Armed forces Special Powers Act which affect the free functioning of the media.
He said from 1993 till date seven journalists were shot dead and there has been numbers of life attempts.
Working conditions of the journalists are pathetic and the government has also failed to take actions in most of the matters related to attacks on journalists.
The National Investigation Agency has been summoning editors and forcing them to reveal sources of news, photographs.
Militant outfits are also threatening to kill the journalists for failure to report their news, he added.
AMWJU urged the PCI to enact proper legislations to safeguard journalists and take up welfare measures.
About 50 cases related to threats by government, militants, army, Assam Rifles, police and other organisations were also given to the PCI team.
Journalists present in the meeting informed about repeated snatching of cameras by army/Assam Rifles. When the cameras were returned after intervention by government the memory sticks, rolls, disks were not returned it was informed.
The PCI team urged the media fraternity to inform the PCI about any incident and assured to take up actions against all government agencies. Even though AFSPA imposed in Manipur the army is not empowered to disturb functioning of the media and harass journalists, Convenor of the team, Amarnath said.
PCI and some state governments are in favour of enactment of a law to safeguard journalists he said.
The team will stay at Manipur till Thursday and interact with Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and other government officials. (UNI)