SHILLONG, MAY 9: Asserting that Meghalaya’s press has “total freedom,” Information & Public Relations Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Saturday called on journalists to stay dynamic, stick to facts, and take on the challenge of misinformation spread by social media.
He was speaking at the World Press Freedom Day programme organised by the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Shillong Press Club, and Meghalaya Editors & Publishers Association.
“When we talk about World Press Freedom Day in the context of Meghalaya, I am very happy that in this society, since time immemorial, there is freedom,” Rymbui said.
“Each and everybody has the freedom to express themselves, to express ideas, to express their grievances.”
The minister said the state has maintained a healthy equation between institutions. “I am very happy also that successive governments have never used or misused the press for their own benefit,” he said.
“There is a cordial relationship between the government and the press, between the press and law agencies and the legal fraternity, and also with all the traditional heads and everybody.”
“We are very fortunate, especially these days when we have seen all over the world, even in our country, there are some restrictions and some diktat on what to be done and what not to do,” he added.
Flagging concerns post-pandemic, Rymbui said, “Since the time of Covid-19, we have seen that the value of the press is slightly coming down with the advent of social media. It is very difficult for people to judge which one is right and which one is wrong.”
“When we see a newspaper today, we don’t know whether it is a newspaper, or tabloid or just an advertising paper,” he said.
“The freedom of press should be used to equip ourselves in this dynamic world to face the changing times.”
He acknowledged gaps in governance feedback. “I am not saying that everything is perfect. We as government, we as lawmakers, sometimes we are attacked. We don’t know the ground realities because the press, the media, which report to us, there is some sort of disconnect,” Rymbui said.
“You have total freedom in Meghalaya. If you want to build a society which is vibrant, a society which can deliver to the people, you have the freedom to report anything you like, as long as it is a fact,” he told the gathering. “But if you want to twist the fact, that is the problem.”
“Every government, every agency, every department, they are always welcome to reporting of the facts because we know the role of media is the fourth pillar in society. It is their duty to give the right information to the people,” he said.
Urging the media to adapt, Rymbui said, “Let us try to be dynamic in our thought process on how to face the challenge of social media, how to face the challenge of misinformation, how to face the challenge of twisting of the facts, so that we can build a society where there is freedom for everybody, not just for the press, but freedom for the people to express also, without any hindrance.” He also commented on changing reader habits.
“No matter how good the news you report is, no one will read it. The heading is very, very important now,” he said. “If you look at the reporting today, there is no relation between the heading and the content of the news. Many on social media try to give the heading without the content.”
“We are not perfect but we need your freedom to report the facts, to report everything. Otherwise, the press fraternity will be taken over by social media, by bloggers, by something or the other,” Rymbui added.
By Our Reporter
