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Freedom of the
Press. Does it really exist in Manipur or is
it a principle mouthed by everyone but
followed by none, is the question that is
worth raising now. As in other parts of the
democratic world, the Editors' Forum,
Manipur organized a function in connection
with World Press Freedom day on May 3 at
Kuki Inn and speakers after speakers spoke
on the need of a free and fair press.
That the
World Press Freedom day was observed just a
few days after six Editors were held hostage
by an armed group for a night and forced to
publish a news item at the behest of the
gunmen, it sounds a little ironic that
freedom of the press should be spoken about
and championed at such a platform as the
World Press Freedom day.
That the media rose as one against the naked
act of intimidation by the armed group and
the manner in which one English daily defied
the ban imposed on it by the said group, is
now history but the lesson that rings out
loud from this incident is that the media in
Manipur is perhaps the last establishment in
the State which dare to stand up against
bullies who understand only the power of
guns and threats.
It is also
significant to note that it was the
journalists and no one else who first rose
as one to protect the freedom of the press
without any vocal support from any quarters.
It was only after a little bit of
mobilization that a number of civil society
organizations joined in and extended their
support to the fourth estate. It is this
contradiction that we find interesting, for
all voluntary organizations in Manipur are
known to have backed the freedom of the
press and the existence of a free and fair
media.
Freedom of the press may mean different
meanings to different people for freedom
itself is a relative term. As we understand
it, freedom of the press should be about
letting the media disseminate information
without any biases and pass commentaries on
issues which are pertinent to the people and
the State.
Threat,
intimidation and pressure exerted on the
press in Manipur is immense and everyone,
from sundry local clubs to bigger
organizations who claim to represent the
interest of the State, have at one point of
time or the other used threats, veiled and
naked, to have their points across. Along
with freedom of the press we also understand
that there should be responsibility and
accountability. The press in Manipur is
still yet to come of age but it is improving
by the day and no one can refute this.
Apart from the leaps made in the technology
used in bringing out the day's paper, there
is today more professionalism, with due
respect to all our seniors, and quite a
number of educated youths have started
opting for this career, against the backdrop
of the Government failing to provide any
employment avenues to the educated youth.
With professionalism, the media in Manipur
has been able to shoulder its
responsibilities more effectively.
The question
is how many of the numerous pressure groups
and power players in the State actually
understand and respect the concept of a free
press. Verbal assurance is fine but that is
not enough. The question whether the press
should be left alone to defend its freedom
is also another question that has to be
addressed by all those who have the interest
of the land in mind. |
