Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister, pledges continued support for ethical journalism and journalist welfare

 

Shillong, September 10, 2025: Shri Conrad K Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister, today, felicitated senior journalists with a financial support of Rs 1 lakh each to eight veteran media professionals in the presence of Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Hon'ble Minister Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), at the Meghalaya Media Meet 2025 today at the Courtyard by Marriott, Shillong.

Organised by the DIPR, Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Centre for Policy the day-long event brought together prominent policymakers, journalists, and communication experts for insightful dialogues, interactive workshops, and recognition of excellence in journalism.

Addressing the assemblage of journalists, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon'ble Chief Minister, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the critical role of journalists in society. “The media holds immense power," he said, "and journalists must always recognize the responsibility that comes with it." 

He expressed gratitude to journalists for their dedication, particularly lauding those who have devoted their lives to truthful journalism. "We are here to honour your efforts," he stated, acknowledging the challenges journalists face in their pursuit of truth.

He highlighted the government's commitment to supporting journalists through welfare schemes, and provided a monthly support of Rs 10,000 to senior journalists under the Meghalaya Journalists Welfare scheme,2024. Additionally proposing a financial assistance of up to Rs. 35 lakhs. These measures, he noted, aims to provide security and recognition for their invaluable work.

Sangma stressed the need for a structured media ecosystem, urging media houses to register with the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) for better organization and categorization. He advocated for training and human resource development programs to enhance journalists' reporting skills, with a focus on leveraging technology and Artificial Intelligence to stay ahead in the evolving media landscape.

The comprehensive program, themed ‘From Print to Pixel: Navigating trust, technology, consumption & accountability’, featured specialised workshops on creative writing techniques and misinformation detection, followed by interactive sessions exploring the challenges posed by deep fakes, dynamics of multimedia storytelling, and the importance of building reliable knowledge structures in today's media landscape.

High-energy panel discussions delved into critical topics, including amplifying equity for women journalists, who are breaking stereotypes and making significant contributions, democratic accountability of the press and how it remains a shared priority, and effective tools and technologies for combating fake news and digital disinformation.

The final panel showcased building media capacities and human-centric approaches to reporting, successfully bridging data with lived experiences in Meghalaya's public health landscape. The discussions reflected a strong commitment to equality, responsible journalism, and strengthening democratic discourse.

Distinguished media personalities present at the event included BBC South Asia Bureau Chief, Jacky Martens; Padma Shri awardee and Editor of Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim; two-time Emmy-nominated multimedia journalist, Ahmer Khan; and UNICEF India's Chief of Communication, Zafrin Chowdhury, Dr. Madhulika Jonathan, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Assam and NE states alongside other award-winning national and regional journalists and academicians.

In her keynote address, Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister, Department of Information & Public Relations, highlighted that “This theme perfectly captures the evolution of media from traditional print to the digital pixel era, emphasizing critical news for trust, ethical use of technology, responsible consumption, and accountability of journalism.” She also congratulated the senior journalists who have been felicitated for their decades of dedication to truth and journalism.Shri Donald P. Wahlang, IAS, Chief Secretary, laid emphasis on the significance of technology and AI in modern times but stressed that trust remains the most valuable currency in journalism. While technology brings speed and scale, he urged vigilance in its use.

During one of the panel discussions, Dr. Sampath Kumar, IAS, Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary, emphasised that systemic change occurs when people resonate with compelling narratives that serve as a catalyst for transformation. He commended media's pivotal role in shaping policy change by highlighting crucial initiatives. 'Media plays a vital role in strengthening the State's vision,' he said, underscoring efforts to promote Media-Facilitated Citizen-Centric Governance.

The flagship event was graced by Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon'ble Chief Minister; Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Hon'ble Minister Department of Information & Public Relations; Shri Donald P. Wahlang, IAS, Chief Secretary; Dr. Sampath Kumar, IAS, Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary; Shri Vijay Kumar Mantri, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, I&PR Department, along with dignitaries from other allied departments.