Kohima: A three-member subcommittee of the Press Council of India (PCI) met with the Nagaland Governor RN Ravi and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday. On the day of their arrival to the state on Monday night, the members also interacted with journalists in Kohima.
The committee was led by convener Jaishankar Gupta and includes Kamal Nain Narang and Pradeep Kumar Jain.
Taking to Twitter, Raj Bhavan, Kohima tweeted: “3 member Sub Committee (Press Council of India) to evolve guidelines for the Media and Security Forces on reporting in conflict situations led by Shri. Jai Shankar Gupta, Convenor called on Hon’ble Governor RN Ravi at his residence, Raj Bhavan Kohima today.”
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also tweeted: “A three-member sub-committee of @PressCouncil_IN called on me. We discussed various issues faced by journalists/media persons in the country, particularly in conflict areas, and also on the steps taken by the state govt. for the welfare of the press and media fraternity”.
The meeting with the media persons was organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) at Hotel Japfu and deliberated on evolving guidelines for the Media & Security Forces on reporting a conflict situation and to organise activities particularly to the North Eastern States, Naxal affected areas and Jammu & Kashmir.
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Sub-committee member Jaishankar Gupta, addressing the media, said that the press faces a lot of problems while working in conflict zones. He remarked that across the state, often the press is unable to perform their duties due to pressure from various organizations, NGOs or other elements.
He added that the main purpose of interacting with the media was to freely and fairly discuss the problems and issues faced by them while discharging their duty as journalists.
He lamented that the welfare of journalists is neglected, as to date only a few states have implemented welfare schemes for the journalists. He also acknowledged the DIPR’s initiative in providing various welfare schemes to the accredited journalist.
President of the Nagaland Press Association, H Chishi, who is a senior journalist, remarked that democracy is not fully efficient without a free press. While extending appreciation to the DIPR for providing various welfare schemes to the journalists in Nagaland, he said that there is still much more that needs to be done.
Director, IPR, Z Tokishe appealed to the PCI members to strongly recommend to the government of India to implement life insurance and pension schemes for journalists in the state. He also highlighted the various welfare schemes provided by the Department for the accredited journalists of Nagaland.
