Shillong, Nov 16: The Shillong Press Club in collaboration with the Directorate of Information & Public Relations on Tuesday celebrated the National Press Day on the theme “Who’s not afraid of the Media†at a programme held at the Shillong Club.
James P K Sangma, Minister of Information & Public Relations attended the programme as Chief Guest and Titosstar W. Chyne, Chief Executive Member, KHADC as Guest of Honour and M. War Nongbri, Secretary, IPR Department as the Special Guest.
“I started my career as a journalist, hence I feel a strong connection and find it very meaningful to be a part of the National Press Day celebration,†stated Sangma while delivering his inaugural address as the Chief Guest.
He said that journalism is an art of story-telling and in the post truth era all are trying to grapple with this new concept.
“The responsibility of the press is to give factual reports and this fourth Pillar of Democracy and must uphold this responsibility and abstain from Yellow Journalism,†he said.
Sangma informed that the Advertisement Policy of the state is in the final stage of completion and it will be rolled out soon and with regards to various demands from the press fraternity of the state which includes Journalists Pension Plan and Journalists Welfare Fund, Sangma said that the Government is committed to fulfil all the needs.
During the day a Panel Discussion which was held was participated by Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh, MLA, Paul Lyngdoh, MDC, W R Marbaniang, Former DGP, Meghalaya, V G K Kynta, Senior Advocate, Meghalaya High Court, Larsing M Sawyan, MD, Centre Point Group of Enterprises and Joy Syiem, Policy Lead, North Eastern Network.