IMPHAL, Nov 11 (MNS/NNN):A panel discussion on ‘Conflict, Media and Civil Societies’ was held today here on the occasion of ‘8th Lamyanba Yaolloi NK Sanajaoba Ningshing Kumon 2012’, organized by the Observation Committee of the late Sanajaoba who was attributed as a revolutionary, journalist, social activist and a tireless unity worker for both the hills and the valley people.
Held at Lamyanba Shanglen, Konung Lampak, Dr Lokendro Arambam, in his key-note address described Sanajaoba as a pioneer who went to every nook and corner of the state, endeavouring for oneness of all the people and communities alike. He also accredited Sanajaoba as a person who introduced investigative journalism in the state by pointing out the ills that plagued the people of his time.
On the occasion, Arambam Lokendra pointed out the necessity of speculation of the Naga-India talk, since the negotiation is kept in secrecy. Even if the talk does not touch on the territorial integrity of the state, relationship between different communities as an outcome of the peace talk should be taken into account, he said. In this connection, he gave his opinion to consider the thought of all and sundry as the pivotal point for solution to the issue of the state.
In the panel discussion, AK Sanaton, senior journalist said that India is facing a critical dilemma in making amendment to the Constitution with regard to the Naga-India talk as it also seeks to pacify the people of the state of Manipur and its sentiment at the same time.
Speaking on the role of the media, he stressed on the need for self restrain and reasonable restriction on the part of the journalists, if it is likely to create disharmony as a backlash. He also pointed out the need of the time to upgrade the standard of news coverage on the part of the media and also the need for organizations to connect with the people.
Another resource person, Rajkumar Bobichand, Director of Change and Peace-building Action (CPA) said that conflict is a result of imbalance of needs between two groups or communities which could be solved when both their needs are brought into account.
He added that peace is not only absence of violence, but durable peace could become a reality only when the needs of all the groups or communities are satisfied. The Naga-India peace talk should not hurt the relationship amongst different communities of the state, he dwelt.
Speaking as the chief guest and moderator of the function, A Mobi who is also the president of All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJ U) said that media houses in both the hills and the valley lack both persons and indepth of reporting. Thus, creating gap in the relations between the hills and the valley people, he added. He also confessed of the need for investigative journalism to come up and expressed his keen desire to see more of such reporting.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/experts-discuss-conflicts-and-roles-of-media-civil-societies/
