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Front Page >> Editorials > Story

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Propaganda Mill
"Because the truth concerns us all," was the catch phrase coined by the Indian Express during the heady days of Bofors and Fairfax and this we feel should be the bottom line for all journalists and the very profession of journalism itself. But the question now is, how faithfully can we lay claim to this profound principle especially in a place like Manipur where the fourth estate are ‘expected’ to carry forward the propaganda blitzkrieg of numerous organisations and the security forces as well as Government machinery. 

So from the standard one line explanation of the security forces, "killed in retaliatory firing" to the now mundane and over killed "for the cause of the land and in view of public interest," the State media have had to tag along with this line of propaganda churned out endlessly and tirelessly by all concerned. In fact so vague has the dividing line between plain old propaganda and the truth become that no one,, least of all the parties concerned, are bothered about how their version is being taken or digested by the public. 

‘The news is sacred, but views can be accommodated’ is the religion of journalism but with the presence of so many conflicting interests, each with their set of agenda, it has become increasingly very difficult for the State media and by extension the public to see the chaff from the grain and this we think is a frightening proposition. Even kidnappers have taken this line and for any abduction they have a ready story to sell, "So and so has been kidnapped because there is some questioning to do with regard to the organization to which the abducted person belongs." This is nothing but lying through one's teeth.

To a large extent the propaganda blitzkrieg that numerous organisations have launched across the State is nothing but aimed towards earning a certain degree of legitimacy from the people. How far and to what extent the public can be taken for a ride is anybody's guess but the disturbing point is the parties and organisations concerned seem the least bothered about the sentiments of the public. 

In such a scenario it is not surprising to see a student organization like the All College Tribal Students' Organization, Manipur locked in a tussle with the Tribal Development Minister Ngamthang Haokip over alleged misuse of fund for the development of the tribal people. While the student organization has accused the Government of trying to cover up the misutilization of development funds for the tribal people, the Minister has retaliated by saying that the student body had demanded Rs 50 lakhs from the Government. 

Curiously enough the Minister also admitted before media persons that he offered to pay Rs 50,000 to the student body to settle the term. Of course Mr Haokip was ‘sensible’ enough to tell the media that the question of misusing the funds does not arise. However this does not answer the question why he had offered to pay an amount of Rs 50,000 to ACTSOM. Whichever way one looks at the issue at hand, it has that unmistakable stamp of a propaganda war fought by either side. And of course one of them or both could be lying. We are afraid to note that in such circumstances the only casualty will be the truth. But as they say, in Manipur who cares about the truth?

(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)

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