Journalists crusader of truth: Governor Najma Heptulla

In a statement Dr Heptulla said, “Journalists are the crusaders of truth and are meant to report the full and correct facts of an incident which reflects all sides of the problem. The mass media was born essentially as the vehicle to disseminate factual and objective information,” she said.

The governor added, “The mass media should not be allowed to misrepresent or to control the news and to rule through manipulation. What strikes me as most important is a responsive and responsible press.” “One of the most challenging of such engagements is reporting from the conflict area,” she said, adding, “In the recent past, the world has been hounded by several violent occurrences, perpetrated sometimes by the states or militant groups or secessionist groups.”

“Press media are the conduit through which the programmes and policies and thoughts of the Government are passed on to the general public,” she stated when she was the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, she developed very good relations with media covering the Parliament. 

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said the media should reflect on both the goods and wrongs of any society. “Focusing only on the bad side gives a wrong message to the outside world,” he added. 

On the occasion, Ranjit Oinamcha, Editor (Paojel), was awarded as Best Editor for National Integration and Communal Harmony, Babycha, (Hueiyen Lanpao) for Reporting on Science and Technology, Kshetri Meghajit, (Naharolgi Thoudang), for Parliamentary Reporting, Nomita Khongbantabam and Hueiyen Lanpao for Reporting on Art and Culture, Ibomcha Yumnam, (Poknapham) for Rural Reporting, Naorem Gyanand, (Hueiyen Lanpao) for Reporting on Special reference to Women and Child and Brahmacharimayum Devchandra Sharma (Poknapham) for Reporting on Health and Hygiene.