Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 17:
Taking strong exception against the Government's order of August 14 which seeks to bar the media from publishing certain statements, the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union has decided to take the order by its horn and publish all statements by reserving their right to edit and publish any statement or news.
In a statement, AMWJU today said that the Government's order issued on August 14 was minutely discussed by its Standing Committee as well as by senior Editors of the State.
The August 14 order was an amended version of the August 2 order.
After deliberating on the matter minutely, the Standing Committee of AMWJU and the Editors decided to publish any statement in consonance with the standard practice witnessed at the National level as well as in sync with international norms and standard.
The decision was arrived at as the Government order of August 14 was contrary to what AMWJU had suggested when an order was issued on August 2.Apart from taking a serious view over the stand of the Government, AMWJU has also strongly condemned the August 14 order.
If the Government takes up action against any newspaper for violating its order, then the media fraternity will take a united stand against the Government, added the statement.
As part of the first step of opposing the Government's order, all the papers published from Imphal decided to leave their editorial space blank for the August 18 issue.