Manipur DIPR asked to draft digital media policy, register online outlets

Manipur's Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) should draw up a policy for digital media and set up a system to register online news organisations, the Chief Minister's media advisor said on Sunday.

Oinam Sunil Singh, Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister, made the suggestion as chief guest at the 78th Information and Public Relations Day, held at the DIPR auditorium at Nityaipat Chuthek in Imphal, according to reports in The Sangai Express, Imphal Times and Northeast Now.

Registration for online outlets

Singh said a registration mechanism under the directorate would give "appropriate recognition and regulation" to the fast-growing digital media sector, as the reports paraphrased him. No draft, timeline or criteria for registration were announced, and it is not yet clear which outlets would be covered or what registration would mean for access to government advertising or accreditation.

He also asked the department to speed up the release of official news so that newspapers, channels and portals can pick up government information quickly and give it wider play.

More news in Meiteilon

Singh urged the directorate to revive regular news releases in Manipuri (Meiteilon) alongside English. The DIPR earlier issued news in the language regularly, he recalled, describing Meiteilon as the common language that links the state's 36 communities.

He backed the proposed Manipur Information Service, a dedicated professional cadre for the department, and thanked the IPR secretary and director for taking the proposal forward.

Misinformation and a new website

IPR Secretary Neeta Arambam said the directorate must make sure authentic government information reaches people accurately and on time, and should work as a two-way bridge between the government and the public rather than only issue press releases. She pointed to the speed at which both genuine and fabricated content now spreads online, and highlighted the department's newly launched website as a source of verified information.

Additional Director (IPR) W Phajatombi Devi said the directorate continued to cover major state functions despite a shortage of staff. The DIPR was set up in 1949, became a directorate in 1974 and expanded to district headquarters in 1975.

Retired officials and best-performing employees were felicitated at the event. Additional Director (P&D) T Ramesh Singh proposed the vote of thanks.

NEInsider will report the details if the state notifies a digital media policy or registration rules.