First Meghalaya Media Meet on “Redefining Journalism in the Digital Age” held in Shillong
Mumbai : The inaugural session of the Meghalaya Media Meet was conducted today by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Government of Meghalaya focusing on “Redefining Journalism in the Digital Age.” The event was organized in Shillong with the aim to address issues concerning the transformation of journalism vis-à-vis technological advancements.
While addressing the gathering, Shri Conrad K Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister said, “When we sat down to decide on reforms or recognition and ways to improve the overall media sector, we realized that the government in general has not done enough to recognize the contributions of our journalists. That is where we felt the need to have such programs to recognise the contributions and hard work they have done, the sacrifices they have made and the challenges they have overcomed.” He also stated that this will foster interaction to connect with the media fraternity to figure out how to move forward in the larger interest of the media sector.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister also announced an amount of Rs. 1 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Special Grant which will be given to the senior journalists who were felicitated today. He stated that the larger goal is to see how things can be improved, the government will push to promote and support different exposures and trainings for media persons, “I believe the press plays a crucial role. Hence, I urge that we should work together in the larger interest of society.” On the issue of housing and pension for journalists, he mentioned that there are challenges that exist for the government, but they are working on how they can resolve if not 100 percent but at least 80 percent of the major issues.
The participation of journalists at the meet underscored their commitment to fostering the vibrant media environment and crucial dissemination of news to the citizens. Discussions were focused on challenges and opportunities which came with digital media and communication that highlighted how there is a need for journalists to follow suit, adapt and be innovative in the present digital age.
Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister, Information & Public Relations stated that it is important to recognize the contributions of the media to the community at large. Speaking on the government’s focus on the rights, privileges and opportunities of media persons, she said that tangent ways of rewarding the media fraternity for their vigilance, constant lending of information and ability to be available are being thought of with the endeavour to ensure to improve their lives, and she hopes that housing facility and pension schemes for media personnel takes off in the right direction.
The meet included a panel discussion on navigating the evolving media landscape, in order to identify key challenges, the advantages and future of digital media. The panel discussion was followed by a session from Prof Indrajit Dube, Vice Chancellor, National Law University on press law and ethics, while the Press Information Bureau discussed on the topic of welfare schemes for journalists under Government of India. Senior journalists from various media houses in the state were also felicitated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister during the event.
In his keynote address, Shri Vijay Kumar Mantri, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, I&PR Department expressed his gratitude to the journalists of Meghalaya, “In a state like Meghalaya you have invested the last 30-40 years spending your entire life in media which is not an easy thing, unless you are very passionate, because it is not a profession where you can earn in monetary terms. I really admire the professionalism you are showing in the state.”
Speaking on the event’s theme, he stated that after the advent of social media, a lot of things have changed, the main being the cut in revenue that has happened to mainstream media, which is affecting them immensely, with the revenue having come down to 50 percent. Most importantly for the government, the main concern is that social media has become a platform for misinformation, and misleading information which is dangerous, and the government is trying to find ways to curb this. Shri Vijay Mantri also stated that unfortunately readership has come down not only in quantity but quality also, and now it has become superficial.
The event was graced by the presence of Shri Conrad K Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister; Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister for Information & Public Relations; Shri Vijay Kumar Mantri, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, I&PR Department; Shri M. S. Sangma, MCS, Director of Information & Public Relations; Prof. Indrajit Dube, Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Meghalaya; Dr. Manash P. Goswami, Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, NEHU, Shillong; senior journalists and members of the media fraternity among others.