Chivotso Nienu
Media is the means of communication. News is information about important or interesting recent events especially when published or broadcast. From this it follows that as far as our local media is concerned, they should concentrate more on publicizing events in Nagaland especially on the front page. There are enough newspapers and magazines throughout India which can be published and international news and events but which of them gives any substance about happenings in Nagaland?
Or, what does it matter to Nagas if former Union Minister Shibu Soren or Parliamentarian Navyot Singh Sidhu both go to jail for murder? Are they in any way relevant to Naga affairs that they should get front page coverage in the local media? In the process, local news regarding conferences, games meet et al which is being inaugurated by Naga VVIPs and even VIPs are ignored or at given a few lines coverage in the inside pages. An event hosted by the Students or a Sekrenyi celebration in a remote village in Nagaland even though inaugurated by a VIP may seem to be insignificant to the sub-editors in Dimapur because they are mostly non-Nagas and so may not fully understand Naga sentiments but these very events are of paramount importance to the villagers concerned. And which non-Nagaland newspaper or magazine will give coverage unless our very own media takes care of Naga interests?
In other words, I personally feel that the media in Nagaland should never try to become Indian national newspaper and avoid trying to compete with the likes of The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, The Telegraph etc but retain the Naga uniqueness. I am sure that the founding Editors as well as the publishers of all the newspaper in Nagaland had visualized a local media which would give adequate reports of as many events as possible where Naga matters are concerned. This is not trying to be parochial but reminding the sub-editors to stick to the original concept of a local media. As it is, there is sufficient space in the national and international pages and so why impose on the front page as well by cutting down on local news?
Another point one would like to raise here is that too much space on the front page is being given to the press releases of the various Naga factions indulge whether they have any substance or not. It is good that the rival factions indulge in the war of words but they should also avoid clashes all over the State. Perhaps each one of the newspapers should put aside a certain space in the inside pages for all the press releases of the factions and perhaps a bill may be submitted to them for nominal payment? When they can tax for almost anything, why should they also not pay for their advertisement bills?
Just the other day, a Cabinet Minister in the ruling DAN Government lamented the fact that “good things rarely get good coverage but all your shortcomings get trumpeted on the front page alongside killings and other bad news like earthquakes and the consequent death toll etc”.
It is to be hoped that the local media does not take umbrage at this write-up for I sincerely mean well for all those involved in the profession of journalism. It is also to be hoped that there will be more coverage of local events on the front pages. For, an event need not be political to qualify for page one. Development stories, social events and even sports can hit the front pages depending on how the corresponding reports them. So, Good Luck and God Bless.
