Shillong, Oct 9: The Meghalaya DIPR is set for a major overhaul.
The second DIPR Conclave 2026, held at the State Guest House in Shillong on Friday, charted a roadmap for a responsive, connected and future-ready information service, with focus on a centralised newsroom, digital expansion and a dedicated fact-checking unit.
Under the theme “Strengthening DIPR”, the conclave built on its inaugural edition in March 2025 and adopted key resolutions to streamline information flow and combat misinformation.
Chief Guest, I&PR Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, urged officers to think out of the box and use government resources innovatively to ensure people get factual information and can tell right from wrong, cautioning against social media-driven narratives.
Commissioner & Secretary Vijay Mantri called media the fourth pillar of democracy and pitched for clear, accessible communication. He listed welfare initiatives like the Journalist Welfare Scheme 2024, pension for retired journalists and welfare fund, while stressing the need for fact-checking mechanisms.
The stakeholder dialogue saw strong pitches from media bodies.
Shillong Press Club General Secretary Dominic Savio Diengdoh sought regular briefings, timely replies to queries and continuous training for journalists in urban and rural areas, besides welfare for reporters in remote areas.
MEPA Treasurer and Managing Editor of Meghalaya Times, Deimebanda Blah, called for a centralised portal for government releases, stronger district-level communication and a fact-check cell within DIPR.
Five sessions drove the day – One DIPR Newsroom, Digital Reach and Federated Channel Network, Media Relations and Rapid Response, Capacity Building, and the stakeholder dialogue with Shillong Press Club and MEPA
