Shillong: The Meghalaya Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) on Friday held its second conclave, bringing together government officials and media representatives to discuss ways to improve information dissemination, media coordination and public communication.
The DIPR Conclave 2026, held at the State Guest House in Shillong, was organised under the theme “Strengthening DIPR: Building a Responsive, Connected and Future-Ready Information Service”.
Following the first edition in March 2025, this year’s conclave focused on strengthening the department’s institutional capacity, expanding digital outreach and improving coordination with media organisations.
Information and Public Relations Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, who attended as the chief guest, stressed the need to strengthen ties between DIPR and the print media.
Rymbui said information must be disseminated effectively to help people distinguish between facts and misinformation. He urged DIPR officials to move beyond conventional methods and explore new ways of communicating factual information to the public.
He also cautioned against the growing influence of social media on public opinion and called on people to exercise greater caution when consuming information.
The conclave featured five sessions covering newsroom coordination, digital outreach, media relations, rapid response, institutional capacity and the department’s future roadmap.
A session on “One DIPR Newsroom” focused on integrated news gathering and dissemination, while the ABC Digest team discussed expanding digital outreach through a federated channel network.
The Meghalaya Chronicle team discussed media relations, rapid response and public communication policy. Another session focused on institutional strengthening and capacity building.
The conclave also featured a stakeholder dialogue with the Shillong Press Club and the Meghalaya Editors’ and Publishers’ Association (MEPA).
Commissioner and Secretary, Information and Public Relations, Vijay Mantri described the media as the fourth pillar of democracy and emphasised the importance of clear and accessible communication.
He highlighted initiatives for journalists, including the Journalist Welfare Scheme 2024, pensions for senior and retired journalists, and the Journalist Welfare Fund.
Mantri also called for stronger fact-checking mechanisms and encouraged the public to rely on credible media organisations. He acknowledged the challenges faced by media houses in the state.
Shillong Press Club general secretary Dominic Savio Diengdoh called for improved access to government information, regular briefings and timely responses to media queries.
He also sought continuous training opportunities for journalists, particularly those working in rural and remote areas, and greater attention to journalist welfare.
MEPA treasurer and Meghalaya Times managing editor Deimebanda Blah urged DIPR to adapt to the changing media landscape and take stronger measures against misinformation.
She proposed strengthening communication at the district level, establishing a centralised portal for government releases, holding regular briefings and setting up a fact-checking cell within DIPR.
The conclave adopted resolutions aimed at improving departmental coordination, strengthening information dissemination and making public communication more responsive.
The event was attended by DIPR officials and representatives of media organisations.
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