IMPHAL, Nov 3 � Veteran journalists here have expressed concern over �paid news� in the local vernaculars and English dailies. They were participating in the Information Day observation here on Thursday.
Veteran journalist N Tombiraj expressed concern over publication of news like distribution of PDS items or old age pension under Central Government schemes by VVIPs with pictures, etc. �This should not be encouraged�, he said.
Unhappy with the way the government is treating the State Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), the veteran journalist claimed that some VVIPs choose and pick reporters to accompany them in their tour programmes, etc., instead of taking DIPR staff like in the past. The government should consider such issues seriously, he felt.
Around 27 retired DIPR employees were honoured on the occasion.
