Directorate of Information and Public Relation (DIPR) director Th Charanjeet has called on the media to support the general public while using voting right in correct way and ethical voting.
The director was addressing a one-day media awareness programme on free, fair and ethical voting held at DIPR auditorium in support of the Office of CEO, Manipur, and organised by Editor Guild's of Manipur.
Charanjeet acknowledged that with the Lok Sabha elections nearing this programme serves as a reminder to both Print and Electronic Media regarding the code of conduct during elections. He emphasized that everyone should actively participate in ensuring free and fair elections.
Additional director of DIPR, Waikhom Phajatombi Devi spoke on "MCMC and others", delineating the role and significance of MCMC (Media Certification and Monitoring Committee).
She elaborated on the distinction between district-level MCMC and state-level MCMC. She emphasized that the committee's primary objective is to oversee and scrutinize Paid News and Political advertisements in Print Media. A crucial responsibility of MCMC is certification for Political advertisements to be telecast/ broadcast on TV, Radio Channels, and Audio-Video platforms, she said.
She told the electronic media to only accept the authorized disk when airing election-related ads and also urged print media to verify media certification before publishing any election-related ads on the polling day or one day prior.
EGM secretary Yumnam Rupachandra spoke on the topic of "The Role of Media in Promoting Free, Fair, and Ethical Voting", while Ahongshangbam Mobi, a Senior Journalist, shared insights on "Ethical and Responsible Reporting of Elections."
EGM president Khogendra Khomdram, emphasizing his speech on violence in the state, said that during such situation Lok Sabha is taking place in Manipur. "I don't think this year Lok Sabha election will be like past election", he said.
The programme was attended by Bijoy Kakchingtabam, President, AMWJU; Peter Adani, President of Manipur Hills Journalists' Union; Samim Ahmed Shah, ADM, IW; Rinku Khumukcham, Editor, Imphal Times; renowned editors of media houses and prominent media persons.
