Two weeks after issuing an order that comprehensively bans publication of any militant-related material by the local media, the Manipur Government has issued a modified order in which several clauses have been dropped or changed. This follows a strong protest registered by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMJWU) with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh asking that the order be withdrawn in toto. The scribes’ body had said the order restricted the freedom of the press. The diluted order now only refers to restricting publication of “seditious and subversive material affecting the integrity of the nation”, whereas the original order banned all items “directly attributed to outlawed organisations”. The local media may now also carry items concerning justification of killings, assault, fines imposed, kidnappings and warnings issued by the underground organisations. However, publication of threats by any persons or organisations, imposition of social norms like a dress code and extortion-related notices still remain on the list of restricted items. Also, any kind of invitation for talks by insurgent groups to settle disputes or any obituary column-related advertisement that projects the deceased person as a “martyr” still remains banned.
