Imphal, Oct 1: In order to encourage greater, print and electronic media coverage of human trafficking issues, a capacity building program for journalists on their role in addressing human trafficking began this morning at Manipur Press Club.
The capacity building program was organized by Impulse NGO Network, Manipur Press Club, MPC, Ereima Gender Empowerment Resource Centre and United Nations Development Fund for Women, UNIFEM and attended by Hasina Kharbhih the team leader of Impulse NGO, Jubita Hajarimayum, secretary Ereima Gender Empowerment Resource Centre and Impulse State Partner, Manipur, Sushil Huidrom, Centre for People`s Concern, L. Pishak, secretary, Sustainable Development Centre, Impulse District Partner, Manipur and Arun Irengbam the Secretary of MPC.
Interacting with the state media Hasina Kharbhih noted that human trafficking being rampant in the North Eastern states from the last few years, the media should play a major role to tackle as well as control the issues and help generate mass participation.
Trafficking is happening in the North East due to certain vulnerabilities in the area, including the ethnic and armed conflict, the many porous international borders, and the relatively weak economy which provides few opportunities for youth and linkage of the national highway as well as bad justice delivery system she said.
However, when working on a story on human trafficking, there are a number of things journalists should consider while interviewing sources and writing articles. Inclusion of age of sources is sensitive and especially while dealign with dangerous networks, journalists working undercover or out in the open must be conscious of their own safety as well as the impact of the story on the victims she said.
The journalists can also connect trafficking to their beats such as sports for trafficking children to be jockeys as well as for organ transplants are a known practice.
The secretary of Manipur Press Club, Irengbam Arun said that the media should not neglect social issues like human trafficking. He said we should keep in mind that depending on how we report, its impact would be felt by the state government.
However, every journalist in the state has his own limitation. But he or she should strive not to violate the ethics of reporting these issues.
Jubita Hajarimayum of Ereima Gender Empowerment Resource Centre spoke on Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign in Manipur while Sushil Huidrom, Centre for People`s Concern spoke on the Basic Facts about Human Trafficking and related legal issues.
L. Pishak spoke on Sharing of Experience and unreported cases and the vulnerability of human trafficking in Manipur.
The capacity building program will continue tomorrow and the program will be attended by Nandini Thockchom.