The Editors’ Guild Manipur organised a One-Day Media Awareness Program today on “Free, Fair and Ethical Voting” supported by the Office of CEO, Manipur, at the Auditorium of DIPR.

Dr. Th. Charanjeet Singh, Director, DIPR, spoke as the Chief Guest, acknowledging that with the Lok Sabha elections nearing, this program serves as a reminder to both Print and Electronic Media regarding the code of conduct during elections. He emphasized that everyone should actively participate in ensuring free and fair elections.

SmtWaikhom Phajatombi Devi, Additional Director, DIPR, on the topic “MCMC and others”, delineated the role and significance of MCMC (Media Certification and Monitoring Committee). She elaborated on the distinction between district-level MCMC and state-level MCMC. She emphasized that the committee’s primary objective is to oversee and scrutinize Paid News and Political advertisements in Print Media. A crucial responsibility of MCMC is certification for Political advertisements to be telecast/ broadcast on TV, Radio Channels, and Audio-Video platforms.

She asked electronic media only to accept the authorised disk when airing election-related ads. Similarly, she urged print media to verify media certification before publishing any election-related ads on the polling day or one day prior.

Yumnam Rupachandra, Secretary of EGM, provided valuable insights on “The Role of Media in Promoting Free, Fair, and Ethical Voting.” And  Ahongshangbam Mobi, a Senior Journalist, shared insights on “Ethical and Responsible Reporting of Elections.”

The program was attended by  Bijoy Kakchingtabam, President, AMWJU;  Khogendra Khomdram, President, EGM;  Peter Adani, President of Manipur Hills Journalists’ Union;  Samim Ahmed Shah, ADM, IW; Rinku Khumukcham, Editor, Imphal Times; renowned editors of media houses and prominent media persons.