SENAPATI, October 10: A 7-day basic course in news reporting organised by State Institute of Journalism (SIJ), DIPR was today inaugurated by Director (IPR) Meghachandra Kongbam at DRDA conference hall, Senapati district headquarters, about 60 km north of Imphal. The objective of the course is to raise the standard of journalism and to create awareness about journalism among the young media enthusiasts in the hill areas of Manipur.
Director Meghachandra, addressing the inaugural function, said this is the second time that SIJ is conducting the course in a hill district headquarters of the state after Ukhrul.
‘The service of journalists is the human service that brings a better life of human beings. Journalists work in the mass communication media like press, radio, television, film and social media and occupy a great position in the society for their commendable service of informing, educating, entertaining and enlightening the general masses. Teachers teach the students in the class room, whereas, journalists or communicators teach the general masses,” HE SAID.
In this age of globalization and in this information age, Meghachandra NOTED, the people living in the interior areas of the hill districts do not get sufficient information for their better living.
“I am very happy to learn that there are two daily newspapers in this district. The role of the service of the local newspaper is greater than the other newspapers published outside the district,” he stated.
“You will be very happy and very proud of Senapati that Senapati is the forerunner in the field of journalism. You know my friend Soloni Pao who did his Journalism Diploma in the year 1997 from the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi is the first journalism diploma holder in Manipur. (Late) Tarapot Phanjoujam of PTI and M Saratchandra the then PRO of Manipur University were one year junior to Soloni Pao.”
“In this short term course in news reporting, you will learn basic knowledge of writing a news story apart from different kinds of news story, ethics of journalism etc.,” he added.
L Sononi Pao (retd MCS) said journalists had a great responsibility in the society for educating the thousands of people. He praised the DIPR, Manipur for organising the journalism course in the hill areas, stating that facility of journalism education were available only in the metro cities.
Peter Adani, Editor of Senapati base daily Hills Hornbill Express, stated that the profession of the journalist was a challenging task in conflict areas and the journalists must face the challenges for the betterment of the society.
In his keynote address, course co-ordinator of the State Institute of Journalism, DIPR Chongtham Noyon Singh said since the inception of the Institute in 1992, it has been conducting orientation and intensive courses on journalism. He advised the trainees to get maximum knowledge from the resource persons in the field of journalism and mass communication during the course which will continue till October 17 with active participation of 20 trainees including five females.
Th. Sarat Sharma, Deputy Director, IPR and DIO Senapati L Kapani Mao also attended the day’s inaugural function among others.
