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The eventful period we are passing through is not merely to see restoration of free press in Manipur, but also judge the pros and cons of the dos and don'ts to be obeyed by the press. The shock wave to free press in Manipur, consequent on the enforcement of orders by the home department of the government of Manipur has created a purely different situation for the readers and media men, after the editors of different dailies had already been weary of constant threats and harassments from various factions of UG outfits operating in Manipur.
On several occasions, editors of the major morning newspapers were press-ganged into obliging hand-outs or statements of the outlaws to be published in their dailies. In any movement as we have read, subjugation of the press, flagrant violation of human rights and rapes of women don't win, and any course of such movement is likely to achieve the opposite of what it should-in the long run.
What is to be realized is the unbeatable value of any movement which earns people's endorsement. As the conflicting zones demand it, the Indian Army has built unassailable fortresses at different strategic locations in the NE region of India, even to move heaven and earth for any eventuality.
In the situation, editors, reporters and professional writers will have no other choice but will risk such venture. We all know that the opportunity to speak and print with even moderation of freedom is still by itself a satisfying and enjoyable thing to do. But the fundamental principle of a free press cannot be only that men have the right to express themselves.
No journalist can be satisfied to print a newspaper that has no readers and subscribers. Journalism must be something more than singing in the shower bath or uttering soliloquies, however, magnificent it is to the desert air. While thinkers and writers may argue whether painting exists if no human eye beholds it, there can be no argument that journalists write in order to be read. How is to sum up the mood of the readers of so small and a state of so varied communities as Manipur after the shock wave?
Perhaps by saying that Manipur, at the moment is profoundly disillusioned is real. There is disenchantment with the performance of the nearly six years old government and its much publicized achievements, cynicism about the leadership and scepticism about the future. The mood may pass but, for the present everything has conspired to foster it.
In addition, journalism is not a play without an audience, nor is it a monologue delivered to a captive audience which must, at least, pretend to be listening. As a matter of fact, since editors, reporters and publishers are men, and therefore human, they are liable to error and prejudice, and also vulnerable to stupidity.
A free press exists only where editors can publish any story they see fit for publication. It is equally important for the readers to have excess to all newspapers which are competitors and rivals as well, so that editorial comments and news reports published in very careful language can regularly and promptly be compared, verified and valididated.
A free press is not a privilege, but an organic necessity in a great society, but it is not necessarily the good society, but is simply a big and complicated urban society, say Imphal city of about two lakhs of population in our context. The government order that imposed curbs on the reportage of militancy-related activities, all gang and gang-warfare related stories, subservient to the sovereignty of the country and the state's integrity to be published in the dailies has become a stark choice before the scribes.
Observing the proclamation of the home department of Manipur Government since its enforcement, and the reaction it got from the press and the sudden change it brought to the present Manipuri society, thoughts finally came to our mind of what we witnessed nearly a quarter of a century ago when liberal minded persons were few in number as compared to the present realization of the essence of peaceful co-existence of all communities.
The reality of what the state government of Manipur advocated may be for trial and experiment, that may have far reaching consequences or not. Government officials always sneered at the activities of the press focusing corruption and the shattered economy of the state. The Manipur press has given an excellent opportunity to the people of Manipur, both of hills and valley to see whether the government is working or waning, and they understand it and compare its achievement to that of earlier ones.
Today, the press has played the most striking role in urging different communities living in Manipur to shun violence. Ultimately, the government has applied a strong hand to ban the publication of UGs related news in the dailies. Now, the idea of allowing statements of protagonists opposing the sovereignty of the country and the integrity of Manipur state to be published in the dailies is out. Certainly, readers will not favour publication of sensational and untrue stories of the passing events which will divide the people and cost the state dearly.
In our state, the claim shouted from the rooftops that the majority rules and its democracy is equal for all is not all true. Under this cover are a maze of restrictions combined with suppression of poor common people and virtual monopoly of all the means of information and news, making the pretense of democracy for all a mockery. It is the press that strengthens massive people's involvement in a democracy.
A very interesting part of the press is the daily pages' letters or articles discussing proposals for improving legislation or rules, criticizing sharply inadequate enforcement of existing legislation, exposing irregularities in various government departments, and discussing hundred of other such issues. Fiery debates are, thus, made possible in the columns of newspapers, all for innovative ideas and what not. The extent of this process can be judged from the annual statistics of newspapers on the number of articles and letters the departments received.
If government officials are obliged, within time-limits, to examine citizens' proposals and appeals, reply them, and take appropriate action, quick reforms are likely to take place in the state. Broader participation of citizens in managing the affairs of society and the state, continuous improvement of the machinery of the state, heightening of the activities of public organizations, strengthening of the system of people's control, consolidation of legal foundations and of public life, greater openness and publicity, and constant responsiveness to public opinions will save the state from the present abnormal situation.
In our country, particularly in Manipur government news usually gets attention in front-page billings which often bore readers when no accountability emerges from such publicity. Readers have no trust in the leadership that clings to endless series of talks to pacify people without a marked success in the governance.
The art is merely a craft to keep one's position secure from break-down. Our constitution specifies clearly the guarantee of freedom of speech, of the press and of assembly of people for a good common cause, and ensures all available means to make those rights a reality.
Since the seven clauses of the home department order the scribes find objectionable and intolerable will not be amended to their satisfaction, the enforcement will little by little invite a long drawn tussle between the state government and the scribes. And the media fraternity of the state terms it as an attempt to gag the press in Manipur.
Again, the CM, hell-bent on enforcing the order, said he wants to strengthen the hands of media houses to enable them to work without fear. The question is whether any such media house that comes under mounting pressure or severe attack of the outfits can be provided with round the clock fool proof security protection. Media houses are thrown in a situation in which they have to make a very difficult choice between things of equal importance. The Manipur press in all probability will find it hard to shut its doors to the UG outfits forever to avoid the risk of losing the job.
The press world, with which one is intimately connected, is that as the editor, one has its moral share of minor war over policies and preferences. When all has been said about the subservient role of the editor of today, the fact remains that journalism now is a no less powerful instrument for influencing the public mind than it used to be.
Life as a journalist in Manipur means not only acquaintance of the great but also the friendship and trust of the humble communities. Due to one's access to the executive head of the state or ministers, one would be able to serve people who need help or guidance is the writer's impact on his mind over the years. In a happy society, people enjoy freedom and free press.
In simple words, it is a more equal and compassionate society so much so that the press is the sentinel of our liberty.
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* Rongreisek Yangsorang contributes regularly to e-pao.net .
The writer can be contacted at rongreisek(at)rediffmail(dot)com .
This article was webcasted on 12th August 2007.
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