Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 29 2010:
"There is no such thing as investigative journalism in Manipur", said Editor of the Ereibak daily Irengbam Arun.
Arun was speaking as a resource person in a seminar organised by the fortnightly journal Khollao on the topic 'Investigative Journalism in Manipur'.
Although the photographs of the July 23, 2009 Khwairamband killings were snapped by journalists of the State, the same were published in Delhi based Tehelka magazine for fear of publication in their own newspapers.
This was a clear proof of the threat perception felt by the journalists of Manipur, Irengbam Arun observed.
Even as the scribes of the State were well aware of the killing of people in fake encounters during 2007-08, no journalist dare to investigate into such killings.
No newspaper house could a investigate and publish report on any single instance of killing in fake encounter.
One basic reason for this professional failure has been the deep sense of insecurity perceived by journalists.
To be an investigative journalist, one has to be immune to all kinds of threats and bold enough to face all kinds of challenges.
Moreover, an investigative journalist should be forbearing, upright and stay clean from any form of corruption.
Not only the reporter should have this attributes, the concerned Editor and the publisher should also be equally daring, Irengbam Arun asserted.
Killing people without trial has been continuing in Manipur as a State policy since 2007-08 .
Before July 23, 2008 at least two to five people were killed on daily basis.
This trend of killing people summarily saw a decline in the aftermath of the people's movement that erupted following the July 23, 2009 Khwairamband incident.
It would go a long way in safeguarding rights of the people if the journalist fraternity including Editors can embark on a journey of investigative journalism with a firm conviction, Arun asserted.
Presenting a paper on 'Governance and Investigative Journalism' in Manipur, veteran journalist Kangujam Madhumangol observed that investigative reporting has become a necessity in view of the alarming level of corruption, human rights violation and the excesses being committed by both State and non-State actors.
Investigative reporting should cover different avenues.
This kind of reporting demands intelligence, perseverance and it should be based on truth and facts.
For all this reasons, investigative journalism is also known as public service journalism, Madhumangol said.
The seminar was moderated by BB Sharma.
The inauguration session of the seminar was graced by Health and Family Welfare Minister Ph Parijat, CPI Manipur State Council Secretary Langol Iboyaima and deputy general secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress H Mahadevan as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.