Imphal: Manipur-based journalist bodies– Editors Guild Manipur (EGM), All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) and Manipur Hill Journalists Union (MHJU) on Monday expressed concern over the unbalanced reporting by section of the media in connection with the ongoing law and order situation in the state.

While asserting that they had received numerous feedbacks from citizens on unbalanced reporting particularly national and international media, the organizations, in a joint statement, appealed to all journalists including those local media to be a “peacemaker rather than trouble maker”.

“While we have no means of verifying every complaint, as responsible media organizations, we feel it our duty to appeal to our fraternal media practitioners from mainland India and abroad to do just in your reporting by balancing your stories.

Please remember the role of certain media in Rawanda that sparked an unwanted genocide decades ago,” the joint statement asserted. “If there is any way, we as a media organization can help you achieve that goal, our doors are open and we will try to assist you in any way,” the EGM, AMWJU and MHJU stated in the joint statement.

“We agree there are forces within both the parties in conflict who are trying to bring about a fracture between the two communities for political mileage, personal vendetta and many other factors including the drug trade and turf control. ” it said. The Manipur government also appealed to the media to refrain from carrying news items based on unverified information.

A statement issued through the DIPR, the state government also appealed to all sections of society against spreading rumors and misinformation.