Shillong, Oct 9: The Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) on Friday held its second conclave to chart a roadmap for a more responsive and coordinated public information service.
The conclave, held at the State Guest House here, under the theme ‘Strengthening DIPR: Building a Responsive, Connected and Future-Ready Information Service’, built on the inaugural edition held on March 5, 2025.
Five sessions focused on newsroom integration, digital outreach and media engagement. These included ‘One DIPR Newsroom’ on integrated news dissemination, ‘Digital Reach and the Federated Channel Network’ by ABC Digest team, ‘Media Relations, Rapid Response and Public Communication Policy’ by Meghalaya Chronicle team, ‘Capacity, Institutions and the DIPR Roadmap’, and a stakeholder dialogue with Shillong Press Club and Meghalaya Editors’ and Publishers’ Association.
Information and Public Relations Minister Lahkmen Rymbui called for cordial relations with print media and for out-of-the-box thinking to provide factual information. He said the government has resources and information must be shared so the public can distinguish right from wrong, while cautioning against social media influence.
Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Mantri stressed media as the fourth pillar and highlighted DIPR’s role in supporting traditional media and fighting misinformation. He cited Journalist Welfare Scheme 2024, pension for senior and retired journalists and the Journalist Welfare Fund, and called for stronger fact-checking.
Shillong Press Club General Secretary Dominic Savio Diengdoh sought improved access to information, regular briefings, timely responses and training for journalists across urban and rural areas, and flagged challenges faced by reporters in remote areas.
MEPA Treasurer and Meghalaya Times Managing Editor Deimebanda Blah called for adapting to changing media landscape, strengthening district-level communication, a centralised portal for government releases, regular briefings and a fact-checking cell within DIPR.
The conclave adopted resolutions to guide institutional strengthening and future communication priorities, reaffirming DIPR’s focus on building a coordinated, responsive and digitally connected information service.
