IMPHAL, July 21: In a move to usher a new era of journalism, a new news agency “Universal News Agency” was formally launched today in presence of a large number of media persons at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, Imphal.
All Manipur Working Journalist Union president A Mobi attended as the chief guest, editor of ISTV Y Rupachandra presided over the function of the launching program.
Announcing the launch of the news agency Mobi said information dissemination, educating the public and entertainment are the objectives of the agency.
Against the notion that news agencies are created to cater the need of certain parties, Rupachandra said that UNA is neither a mouthpiece nor is influenced by any organization.
Chief Editor of the agency L Bashanta stated the urgent need to have a news agency. He told IFP of how news items from Manipur cannot reach the desired places. Keeping aside the reach internationally, it hardly crosses Guwahati, he added.
Bashanta further stated that at present the agency has eight correspondents covering Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and New Delhi and Bihar-Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh region apart from six Indian states. UNA has correspondents in all northeastern states.