Showing unity and integrity, journalists from across valley districts marched to Raj Bhawan today demanding immediate action against security personnel who harassed a media team covering the Shirui Lily Festival.
Chanting “We want justice!” and “Protect press freedom!”, members of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) submitted a strongly worded memorandum to Governor AK Bhalla, calling for strict accountability and punishment of those responsible.
The outrage stems from an incident at Gwaltabi checkpoint on 20th May, where central security personnel stopped a government-sanctioned media vehicle and instructed reporters to conceal the “Manipur State Transport” label.
The move, seen as an insult to the state’s authority and a direct obstruction to journalistic duties, forced the team to abort their official coverage of the festival’s inauguration.
As part of their protest, media bodies have declared a pen-down strike from tomorrow and threatened a complete blackout of government-related news unless action is taken.
“If the state government cannot guarantee our right to report safely, we will stop reporting on the state,” warned a senior journalist during the rally.
The media fraternity is demanding an official inquiry, punishment for the erring personnel, and accountability from event organisers, warning that continued silence from authorities will only deepen the crisis of governance in the state.
