Moajungshi Menon
One of the biggest weaknesses of politics in Nagaland is the inability of our leaders to face critical questions from the mainstream media. For too long politicians have enjoyed the comfort of silence, rarely being asked tough questions and even more rarely being held accountable. But as the media landscape slowly changes, leaders are finding themselves unsettled when confronted with scrutiny.
The problem is not the questions, it is the response. Instead of treating the media as a democratic necessity our leaders see it as a personal attack. Their ego and prestige seem to outweigh their responsibility to answer the people through the press. A glaring example is the recent incident where Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton scolded a journalist in a public gathering. This display of arrogance not only embarrassed the press but also showed the public how ill-prepared our leaders are to handle accountability.
Let’s be clear journalists are not enemies. Their questions arise because leaders are failing to do their jobs transparently. When politicians dodge, dismiss or lash out, it only exposes their insecurities and weakens the very democratic values they claim to uphold. The truth is if leaders are confident in their work no question should intimidate them.
What Nagaland needs is not more speeches and slogans but leaders who can engage the media with honesty and composure. Media training is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. If our leaders cannot handle tough questions, then they cannot handle leadership in a democracy.
As Nagaland continues to evolve politically and socially, media scrutiny will only become sharper. It is therefore essential that our leaders rise to the occasion embracing the role of the press as a partner in democracy rather than perceiving it as a threat. With the right training and mindset they can turn media engagements into opportunities to build trust, credibility and respect among the people they serve.
Nagaland is changing and the days of unquestioned authority is fading. The sooner our leaders accept this the better. Respect is not demanded it is earned and one way to earn it is by answering the people’s questions without fear or fury.
