Imphal, September 16: The 34th foundation day of All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) was celebrated with great fanfare at Manipur Press Club here today.

The celebration was attended by MLA of Thongju A/C Bijoy Koijam as chief guest, president of AMWJU S Hemanta as functional president and former AMWJU presidents K Madhumangol and AK Sanaton as guests of honour.

Presentation of gifts to senior journalists and financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to family members of late Oinam Saratchandra, a former secretary of AMWJU were the main highlights of the function.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, MLA Bijoy Koijam noted that press/media has a major role to play in bringing about development and peace in any State.

However, the smooth functioning of press/media in Manipur today is being subjected to various threats and intimidations, he lamented.

Maintaining that it is the press/media that has been enlightening the people through its unbiased reports, the MLA appealed to all concerned to restrain from giving any undue pressure on press/media.

Recalling the proposal made by All Manipur Working Journalist Union in 1995 for setting up a press academy in the State, the MLA assured of doing the needful from his side in this regard.

He also announced cash reward of Rs 10,000 each for best photographer and best reporter from next year.

In his address as one of the guests of honour of the function, AK Sanaton categorically stated that threats to media from any quarters amount to denial of rights to information of the people and imposition of restriction on media by the Govt is equally unfortunate.

Freedom of media should be respected by all.

While seeking the co-operation of the people with mediapersons who have been doing their work under most trying condition, he also urged the proprietors concerned to pay attention to the improvement of the working conditions of the journalists employed in their respective newspapers.

In his presidential address, AMWJU president S Hemanta observed that the Union has been tackling the problems of journalists along with taking up welfare measures like introduction of pension scheme and accident insurance.

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