SHILLONG: The media should take the best of digitisation and reap benefits from the digital revolution but at the same time should not forget the journalistic ethics, especially at a time when fake news are a major cause for concern, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Friday.

“It is about being responsible in whatever we do. Trust is also another important word. We have to build up the system of trust. Build your reputation. You are here not just for one day but to continue in the system for the long run,” Sangma told a gathering at a function organised at Shillong Club on the occasion of National Press Day. Speaking as the chief guest on the topic ‘Journalistic ethics in the digital age’, Sangma said efforts should be taken to curb cyber crime. He recalled the time when the internet was shut down because social media was flooded with inflammatory reports during the violence that erupted over Harijan Colony.

“It was a wake-up call for the government. People were upset when internet was stopped. We simply had to do it because we do not have the technology to filter or stop such news,” he said. On the age of digitisation, the chief minister said opportunities available in the digital age must be harnessed by the media fraternity.

“Digital age is something that is really powerful and it is changing every aspect of life. Digital world is so dynamic that it is almost impossible to have any kind of a law that will be able to curb the entire thing,” Sangma said.

According to Sangma, it is important to ensure that proper mechanism, laws and policies and technology are put in place to ensure digital information and that crimes are stopped to a large extent. He added that the government would take aggressive measures to ensure that technology was put in place to monitor cyber crime.

Meanwhile, consultant of the IT department Ebenezer Lyngwa pointed out that 1-1.5 million people in India are digital consumers. Asserting that regulation of social media has become inevitable, he said recent events have prompted authorities to take a call on curbing social media.

Lyngwa said Section 66A of the Information Technology (IT) Act was termed as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court as it was misused by the people in power.

Christopher Rani, CEO of CR Projects, spoke on cyber laws vis-à-vis the media.

Nongpoh MLA wishes scribes

Nongpoh legislator Mayralborn Syiem conveyed his best wishes to all journalists in print and electronic media in the country and particularly in the state as they celebrated 52nd National Press Day on Friday.