SHILLONG: Media persons were urged not to be influenced by politicians or businessmen and to maintain professionalism in their approach during the annual general body meeting of Meghalaya Editors’ and Publishers’ Association (MEPA) held here on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor in Sociology Department, NEHU, Dr. AK Nongkynrih said that though journalists can come closer to politicians and business persons, they should not be influenced by them.
He stressed the need to abide by the truth in dissemination of news and views and to shun conjectures and hearsay.
According to Dr Nongkynrih, media in Meghalaya has played its role as a fourth estate effectively in sociopolitical aspects but it is found wanting in socioeconomic field and in analysis and interpretation in matters of government policies. Rural coverage by media regarding implementation of socio-economic package schemes of the government agencies is also awfully lacking, he said.
Former president of MEPA, Manas Chaudhuri expressed concern on the viability of small and marginal media establishments in Meghalaya in the long run as they are being put under tremendous pressure by the invasion of corporate media from the country and are also pushed to the wall by the Majithia Wage Board recommendations. He suggested that MEPA members should put their heads together to overcome the problems faced by Northeast’s small and marginal media establishments.
The meeting deliberated on various issues concerning newspapers, journals, magazines, periodicals, tabloids, electronic media and portals and how to overcome common problems faced by them, in unison.
At the end of the meeting, MEPA adopted several resolutions which include the need on the part of the Meghalaya Information and Public Relations Department to immediately come out with a sound and clear cut advertisement policy for newspapers, journals, periodicals etc., in Meghalaya. It was also urged to set up a media committee to look into various aspects of media in the State.
Another resolution was to rename the journalists’ welfare fund to ‘Journalists’ and Non- Journalists’ Welfare Scheme to include non-journalists who are working in the media establishments. It was also suggested that MEPA representatives should be included in the scheme selection committee for the beneficiaries.
The idea is to render financial assistance to journalists and non-journalists in time of demise and also financial assistance to dependants of journalists and non-journalists in the event of prolonged illness, accidents and other unfortunate incidents. MEPA, being the oldest media body in Meghalaya, has resolved to continue to help journalists and non-journalists who face physical security threats.
MEPA also decided to organize trainings to newly joined cub reporters and will continue to organize programmes for skill up-gradation of working journalists.
MEPA further decided to deliberate and seek clarification from the District Council on the levying of professional taxes on working journalists. The Association has also resolved to continue promotion of legal awareness in media, especially related to litigations.