Mnp scribes protest against interference

Manipur scribes on Wednesday decided to resume working from Thursday while reaffirming to stand by their ethics.
Publication of newspapers and broadcasting of news in the local cable networks remained suspended for the second day on Wednesday after scribes ceased work in protest against “undue interference” to the freedom of press.
As per a resolution passed by a meeting with major CSOs jointly convened by All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU), Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) and Manipur Hill Journalists’ Union (MHJU) at Manipur Press Club premises today, the scribes will resume working from Thursday.
The meeting further resolved not to entertain any press releases issued by conflicting parties of the student body, All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), until the internal conflict is settled within the union.
The meeting also reaffirmed a resolution passed by a similar meeting convened on March 5, 2021 that endorsed the journalists’ bodies not to entertain statements of any internal conflict ridden organization.
It also appealed to all to respect the Code of Conduct (Local Adjustment) jointly framed by AMWJU and EGM.
Earlier in the day, scribes staged a sit-in-protest in Imphal’s Keishampat Junction to register a strong protest against repeated interference to the freedom of press. The journalists staged the protest under the joint aegis of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU), Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) and Manipur Hill Journalists’ Union (MHJU).
‘’Do not interfere in the freedom of press’’ read placards held by the scribes during the protest to urge all to allow the media to work without fear.
The sit-in-protest was followed by a public meeting in which leaders and representatives of major civil society organizations were invited.
The scribes resorted to a cease work after media houses in Imphal were pressurized to entertain press releases issued by an internal conflict ridden student body.
The matter became complicated following interference by factions of a rebel outfit and media houses were pressured to obey their diktats.