Media houses in Manipur staged a sit-in demonstration in Imphal on Wednesday to denounce the “undue interference” made by a student body into its activities.

It demanded that the media becomes free from all external influences in the production of news. Media activities across the state were put on hold since Monday night, after a student body protested to the publication of a news story related to it.

Following the incident, an emergency meeting was convened with all members of AMWJU, EGM and MHJU on Tuesday morning at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal. During the meeting, it was resolved to organize a sit-in demonstration on Wednesday.

There has been no news broadcast nor publications since Monday evening; and no newspapers will be published on Thursday either.

A senior journalist – Brown Nongmaithem told the news agency PTI that “Interference over the working of the media in the state has always been there. The media fraternity wants a permanent solution to such dictatorial attitude from any group so that the press can continue its work without fear.”

The protest was held under the aegis of All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU), the Editors Guild Manipur (EJM) and Manipur Hill Journalists Union (MHJU). During the protest, the agitators held placards stating “Do not interfere in the independence of the press”.