‘Pandemic or not, Fourth Estate’s roles and responsibilities do not change’

Media fraternity in Nagaland observes National Press Day 

Morung Express News
Dimpaur, Kohima, Mokokchung | November 16

Pandemic or no pandemic, the roles and responsibilities of the Fourth Estate do not change—in fact, they need to be vigorously enhanced and revitalized in order to continue speaking truth to power and to call out power, when it is abused.

This and several other challenges confronting the press in Nagaland were discussed during the National Press Day programmes that were held in various parts of the state on Monday.

In Dimapur, the celebration was held in concurrence with the Foundation Day of Dimapur Press Club at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur.

Speaking on the theme ‘Role of media during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on media,’ Editor of Nagaland Page, Monalisa Changkija viewed that the media’s roles and responsibilities take on more significance during this pandemic at the micro and macro levels. 

She expounded on the need to keep a sharper eye on civil and human rights protection or violations of the rights of health workers and other front-liners, and other vulnerable sections, as well as policy making that inevitably impacts every section of society.

“If we lose sight of, and let our guard down from, constitutional provisions and the imperatives of transparency and accountability of those in power, we will fail in our role as the watchdog of society and negate the very reasons for our existence. This, no society, no democracy can afford,” she asserted.

Referring to the scourge of fake-news, deliberate distortions of truth, events, causes, reason and interpretations via abuse of technology creating unfounded suspicions and mistrusts in society, Changkija said that the media in Nagaland has much to learn about confronting these challenges head-on. 

“We are the bridge between power and the people so we must speak truth to both, which demands utmost integrity in us,” she stressed while adding that the Fourth Estate is not and should not be a Public Relations (PR) agent/agency.

Echoing Changkija’s observations on fake-news, Dimapur Commissioner Rajesh Soundararajan termed the prevalent trend of fake news as a ‘menace’ and underscored that the media has a very important role in containing it. 

Besides fake news, there is a negativity that is seeping through the society in the form of ‘doom-scrolling’ where people are concentrated only towards finding negative news, he noted. 

While criticism is necessary in any society, he said ‘doom-scrolling’  or tendency to continue to surf or scroll through bad news, has to be addressed as it is not going to do any good and one should be careful and avoid being trapped in the vicious cycle of negativity.

He also appreciated the efforts of the media professionals in the state towards authenticating news from reliable sources and mentioned that he had been to different places and witnessed irresponsible journalism but is impressed by the quality of journalism that is being maintained here. 

K Temjen Jamir, Editor of Tir Yimyim, who also spoke on the occasion called the day the most important for the media fraternity and said that this pandemic is a time to identify and recognise those who are at the frontline and those making a difference through innovations and bring their stories to the notice of the people.

He also noted the absence of media personnel in the District Task Forces across the state, alluding that the role of media is generally overlooked by the state machinery.

Media in Nagaland needs to redefine and advance investigative journalism in the state, he underscored, terming it as the best tool to fight corruption. 

Investigative journalism is not only about uncovering scams or negative news, but also digging out positive stories, he averred. 

Earlier, delivering a brief note on the Foundation Day of DPC, Dilip Sharma, Treasurer and founding member of DPC said that the club was formed in November 1999 with the initiative of four members and narrated a brief history and list of activities that the club carried out since its inception.

Importance of delivering authentic information

In Kohima, a panel discussion on 'Journalism and Journalism Ethics: A relook' and 'Role of Media during COVID-19 Pandemic' was held with senior journalists H Chishi, Kopelo Krome, Narayan B Sagar, Emilo K Konyak and Vibi Yhokha Sophie as panelists.

Speaking through their experiences, the panelists deliberated on journalism and journalistic ethics in the context of Nagaland and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Krome shared about the early struggles when journalism was in its nascent stage back in the 1980s. He also put across his observation that the fourth estate is also susceptible to manipulation and thus, urged the journalists to always maintain balance.

21 years into the profession of journalism in Nagaland, Narayan B Sagar shared his experiences in the years before ceasefire in Nagaland as well as the present day challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the role of the media during COVID pandemic, Emilo K Konyak, senior journalist for Nagaland Post stated, "The pandemic has made us realize us the importance of delivering authentic information to the people and also creating awareness on the precautionary measures that could be adopted."

Konyak cited the continuous reports and stories written by the journalists on the state's unpreparedness- be it COVID hospital, the poor PPE kits, food supply in quarantine centers and said that "Today, no matter how much the department/government counter us back, things have improved well." A by-product of such journalistic reports in Nagaland was the Government's gag order barring government employees from speaking to the media, she added.

"We have done a lot but we have not done enough yet. Let us continue to be the voice of the voiceless, without compromising journalism ethical values, principles and integrity," she urged.

Senior journalist H Chishi spoke on the impact of COVID-19 on the media and said, "In this period of uncertainty, let us remain optimistic and continue without our bounden duty. The situation demands a collective effort to overcome this pandemic."

Truth and impartial journalism

Meanwhile, the Mokokchung Press Club (MPC) held a session with Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner Limawabang Jamir as the special guest. 

Addressing the journalists, Jamir said that it is an important day for Indian democracy because through the media—the fourth estates, various issues in the society are highlighted in public domain.

The media is the mirror that shows us the bare truth and harsh realities of life, he said. 

Jamir encouraged the MPC to be fearless, to stand for truth and impartial journalism. He also added that sensationalising issues brings division and creates problems in the society while calling on the press to uphold the vision of the Press Council of India that journalism should be neutral and fair to all.

Strive for the truth and keep working on investigative news while portraying the truth, he added. 

“Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. It must speak, and speak immediately, while the echoes of wonder, the claims of triumph and the signs of horror are still in the air,” he said, quoting Henry Grunwald, Editor, Time magazine.

MPC President Limalenden Longkumer also gave a short presidential address at the event and highlighted since the inception of the MPC in 2008, it has been doing its best to provide fair and unbiased news to the masses.

He also stated that in 2020 in India, about 15 journalists were arrested and two were murdered but the Nagaland press community in general has not witnessed such unfortunate events. He acknowledged the district administration for keeping law and order firm in the district and called for collaborative work to preventing any unfortunate event in the future.