State level National Press Day, 2021 was held at DIPR conference hall, Kohima on 16th November 2021 with the theme ‘who is not afraid of media’, with Advisor to Chief Minister, Abu Metha as the special guest.
In his speech Advisor, Abu Metha said that the DIPR was called as the propaganda machine of the government that is in power but that narrative has changed with the passing of time. IPR has the responsibility of highlighting the achievements of the state government. He asked the department to step out of the old narrative and contribute more towards the new story of Nagaland. The Department of IPR has a number of efficient, smart and capable officers and that the State government, policy makers and the implementers should give more focus to the department, Metha said. He added that with the advent of internet revolution and the eruption of social media and the scope of various media platforms, the amount of debated deliberations that are happening on various social media platforms, the department should put in more effort in such fields. He also said that the policy makers have to understand the new dynamics of this new age and asked the government to help create new roles and strategies for IPR department. Metha urged the department and the media houses to tell the success stories of the state despite the hurdles and the challenges faced, because every success story inspires and motivates people.
The Advisor also said that there is a huge disparity between the media houses in Nagaland and outside the state. Therefore, the government and the Naga society as a whole should put its mind together on how to empower the media and how to make them benefit more. He asked the media in Nagaland to confront the truth and not to be afraid of the truth. If the system in Nagaland has to be improved, if the negativity is to be eradicated in the society, the media has to be willing to ask questions and to tell the truth and have the courage to highlight the deficits and shortfalls in the government, he said. It is only then that the media will stand up with the other pillars of democracy and it is only then the question of ‘who is not afraid of media?’ will arise. But striving towards such aspirations holds challenges and there are compromises in delivery mechanisms.
Metha stated that merely claiming to be the fourth pillar is not enough, but walking that extra mile will ensure that there will be growth in the fourth pillar of democracy. He also urged the press and media houses to give more focus on investigative journalism. Investigative journalism needs the support of the media houses, of the society as a whole, and needs to be backed up by budgets because investigative journalism is not normal reporting but it is about asking questions, putting people in discomfort and this is where the role of the fourth pillar comes in. The Advisor stated the media should act as watchdog of the other three pillars and should also act as the voice of the citizens and help in changing the narrative of the Naga people. Without the freedom of the press and without a vibrant media, democracy does not exist, he opined.
Director, IPR, Er. Z. Tokishe Sema in his exhortation stated that National Press Day is celebrated to honour and acknowledge the Press Council of India which acts as the modern watchdog of free and fair press in the country. He asked the media people present to strive for the betterment of the society and to help in the upliftment of the state and the country as a whole. The programme was chaired by Deputy Director, IPR, Simon Telia.
(Takumpula, IA)
