New local daily launched in Senapati
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Senapati, November 28 2014 : Newspaper act as the agent that bridge the gap between the government and people by disseminating the information given by the former.

Common people come to press to redress their grievances making the responsibilities of the press very 'big' .

This has been analyzed by Wankhemcha Samjai, President of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) today at DRDA Conference Hall, Senapati during the launching of 'The Herald Today', another local newspaper from Senapati.

The AMWJU supremo launched the paper in the presence of A John, Chairman of Senapati and Karong Area Town Committee, President Naga People's Organization (NPO), President of Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA), President of Senapati District Olympic Association, President of Poumai Naga Tsii Duumai Me, Editor of Hills Hornbill Express, a host of journalists and public leaders.

'The Herald Today' launched at Senapati

The paper edited and published by John Basho Pou has been launched under the motto, "Forward with the People" .

Speaking in the occasion as chief guest Wangkhemba Samjai, president, AMWJU noted that Imphal has hosts of correspondent for national papers and news channel whereas comparatively in the hills the presence of the press is negligible and launching a newspaper is a step forward.

He also mooted for opening of a press academy in the state while highlighting the works of the union in attempting to set up a press colony in Imphal.

In the same vein he also opined that even in Senapati, such press colony can be set up in future while promising that he and the union will extend fullest cooperation not only in news gathering but also extending welfare schemes for the working journalist in the district citing an examples how through the union some members have benefited under 'family benefit scheme' and 'pension scheme' for the retired journalists.

He enumerated that nine journalists were killed in the state while performing their duties and twenty five were maimed.

He pointed out that Manipur is a very difficult state for the free press to carry out its duty.

He said that in Manipur there are 'professional killers," "mafia groups" and "politicians with bad intention" making perilous for the press to carry out its duty.

He analyzed that common people come to press to redress their grievances making the responsibilities of the press very 'big'.

Samjai passionately shared that the AMWJU is making 'a contingent plan' to penetrate in interior parts of the State to report the plight of the rural people in the form of investigative reporting.

He lauded the duo newspapers (Hills Hornbill Express and The Herald Today) for their bold step to serve the people and advised to perform duty well.

A John, chairman, Town Committee speaking in the occasion as guest of honour appealed the media not sensationalize any issue and avoid creating confusion while publishing news reports.

He pointed that journalists are attacked from various quarters from the undergrounds and government as will and to this end, he said 'social organisation' need to give full support to the press for vibrant society.

He remarked that is a moment of joy and pride for Senapati when Hills Hornbill Express was first launched so much so the launching of The Herald Today.

He expresses his gratefulness for the sacrifice and concern for the people shown by both the papers.