City journalists condemn attacks on colleagues across India

SHILLONG: Journalists in the state on Saturday expressed outrage at the continuous attacks on fellow colleagues including killings, threat and intimidation to suppress Freedom of Expression, across the country.
Organised under the banner of the Journalists Union of Meghalaya (JUM), which is affiliated to the Indian Journalists Union (IJU), a meeting was held at the Press Club here on Saturday. Members of the fraternity also observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed colleagues who were killed in the past one year. The union also demanded that undue harassment to journalists should be stopped, besides seeking immediate implementation of the Majithia Wage Board recommendations and restoration of autonomy in Press Council of India. Speaking during the meeting, JUM president, David Laitphlang said, “We want to send a clear message that we protest against the increasing atrocities, killings, threats and intimidation against journalists.”
Stating that the situation with journalists in Meghalaya is different compared to other parts of the country, Laitphlang said, “Though by God’s grace media here are safe and there is no insecurity but we have also had incidents in the past. However, if there is any attempt to suppress our Freedom of Expression, we will stand together as one.”