There was a discussion on press and media relationship which was organised by AMWJU in collaboration with Manipur police. Press and electronic media are complex team work. Editor and his subordinate staff role is known to all they are like men working in butcher houses. Their role is to cut and cut to make a report perfect, concise and precise. There is no room for redundancies in a newspaper story. Even the best and the most beautiful word written in a sentence cannot be repeated in the subsequent sentences. Unfortunately those giving information in the form of press releases or through verbal communications expect all that had been written or uttered to come out in the next publication or broadcast. Our reply is straight, that cannot be done. That marks the beginning of the distrust between the media and all those concerned. Law enforcing agencies have a big role to play in safeguarding a state and also in making a better society for all to live peacefully. But there are certain areas in which both police and media men work together. Investigative reporters work in the area reserved for law enforcing agencies. What do reporters do in such areas? Extremely wise reporters make friends with the agents they have chosen carefully. Police have investigative tools and contact. Reporters lack those facilities. Wise reporters attempt to win the trust of the agents. Police investigators want to corner wrong doers and they can do that with the enormous power they enjoy. Investigative reporters can reap the benefit by putting the information available in their report. Police like other organisations also want their organisation’s name to appear in the newspaper or electronic media. So they want reliable men for giving the information. Our thinking however is very simple as long as police attempts to carry out their duties judiciously, sincerely and honestly showing respect to the common masses the issue whether there is a good relationship or the worst relationship between police and media is immaterial. Police have a gun. Reporters too have pen. Realise the power and responsibility within you, a change will be seen. Shakespeare said “A soft answer turns away wrath, but the harsh word stirs up anger.”
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/police-press-relationship/
