On Friday, the Meghalaya Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) hosted its second conclave at the State Guest House in Shillong. The event, themed “Strengthening DIPR: Building a Responsive, Connected and Future‑Ready Information Service,” brought together government officials and media representatives to discuss ways to improve information dissemination, media coordination and public communication.
The conclave focused on strengthening DIPR’s institutional capacity, expanding digital outreach and improving coordination with media organisations. Five sessions covered newsroom coordination, digital outreach, media relations, rapid response, institutional capacity and the department’s future roadmap. A session on “One DIPR Newsroom” highlighted integrated news gathering, while the ABC Digest team presented plans for a federated channel network.
Information and Public Relations Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, the chief guest, urged DIPR officials to move beyond conventional methods and to help the public distinguish facts from misinformation. He cautioned against the growing influence of social media and called for greater caution in consuming information. Commissioner Vijay Mantri highlighted the media as the fourth pillar of democracy, introduced the Journalist Welfare Scheme 2024, and advocated stronger fact‑checking mechanisms.
The conclave also featured a stakeholder dialogue with the Shillong Press Club and the Meghalaya Editors’ and Publishers’ Association (MEPA). Delegates proposed a centralised portal for government releases, regular briefings and a fact‑checking cell within DIPR. Resolutions adopted aimed at improving departmental coordination, strengthening information dissemination and making public communication more responsive.
