Imphal, September 16, 2010: Violation of human rights is meted out by men against men.

In a state or region or any place where state actors or non-state actors violate human rights, media persons need to work with a commitment.

This was asserted by retired IIS, Seram Mangi, former news editor of All India Radio, Imphal, Regional News Unit at a seminar held at the State Guest House at Sanjenthong here today.

Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Seram Mangi observed that holding of such a seminar on the protection of human rights in the state is very appropriate in the light of the ongoing discussions in New Delhi on lifting AFSPA from a few districts in Jammu and Kashmir.

It is the duty of the media persons to highlight incidents of violation of human rights in the state under AFSPA, the media expert said.

He further said that journalists are those professionals whose works are based on truth.

Their basic duty is to report what had happened and to disseminate the same to the people so that they can analyse the import of the happenings.

The seminar on the them "Role of Media in the Protection of Human Rights" was organised by the Editors' Forum, Manipur.

If freedom of press is protected, the press is the protector of human rights, said Ningthoukhongjam Sanatomba, secretary Editor Forum, Manipur in the key note address in a seminar on "Role of Media in the Protection of Human Rights", held at State Guest House today.

The seminar was organized by Editor Forum Manipur.

The opening session of the seminar was graced by retired IIA, Seram Mangi as chief guest and presided over by founder president of the forum, Salam Bharatbushan.

Delivering the key note address of the seminar, N Sanatomba said that as far as the freedom of press is respected, the violation of human rights by state and non-state actors could be checked.

Therefore, it is a must to ensure protection of freedom of press.

Bharatbushan, the president of the opening function said that it is the basic principal of each and every newspaper to show their true calibre in the presentation of reports and it is for the people (readers) to decide the quality of the reports.

Men in power are inclined to keep journalists under their control because journalists can popularise their activities through the media.

Because of this, journalists and editor should take utmost care in discharging their duties, he maintained.

On the other hand, Bharatbushan went on to say, to control abuse of human rights by state and non-state actors and to highlight other problems of the state and its people, editors need to hold consultations amongst themselves to work with sincerity.

If sincerity is lacking their efforts will go in vain.

Journalists will get the fruit of their service only if they worked with sincerity and honesty, he added.

The technical session of the seminar was moderated by BB Sharma, deputy director, Regional News Unit, All India Radio, Imphal.

RK Rajendro, former member of the Manipur Human Commission talked on "Human Rights and AFSPA" and Yumnamcha Dilipkumar, president, UCM on "Violation of Human Rights" as resource persons.

Advocate, Ch Narendra talked on "Human Rights Violation, Law Compensation" in the seminar which was followed by an interaction programme between the resource persons and participants.

Comment