The EGI has expressed great concern the coverage of the Manipur violence by sections of the media, including local, regional, and national. In a statement issued today, the body has stated that it is is a matter of regret that instead of objective and fact based reporting, there is a noticeable bias in the coverage that is contributing to divisiveness and violence.
Therefore, the body of editors, has called on all journalists and media houses to exercise all professional standards of journalism in the coverage of this conflict tearing apart the state.
The basic tenets that to be followed in reporting conflict, as the media plays an extremely important role in such sensitive situations are:
- Report facts, not rumours. Check and cross check
- Do not become part of information wars
- Do not take sides, report factually
- Do not contribute to proliferation or escalation of the conflict
- Do not call for violence
- Avoid victimising language such as ‘devastated, defenceless’ or demonising adjectives such as brutal, vicious, barbaric
- Avoid using stereotypes, do not build images of the ‘enemy’
In short, the EGI has reminded the media fraternity that the coverage should avoid inciting conflict, hatred or enmity while bringing out all details of the violence and the situation on the ground.
Provocative language has to be shunned and peace efforts supported. The basic tenets of good journalism have to be followed as it is imperative for the fourth pillar of democracy to end the violence and usher in peace through honest, restrained, ethical coverage.
The statement has been issued by the EGI President, Seema Mustafa, its General Secretary, Anant Nath, and Treasurer, Shriram Pawar.
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