The role of the media in the ongoing Manipur ethnic conflict

Adison Moirangthem *

News and social media have been used as a medium to exacerbate the ongoing conflict in Manipur with false narratives outside India. All forms of media should, therefore, remain unbiased, particularly in reporting conflict news. This involves understanding the nuances of the conflict, avoiding language that could inflame tensions.

Manipur, a state in Northeast India, has been entangled in a state of confused tumult and conflict for decades. Ethnic tensions which led to the demand for autonomy, insurgent activities, armed violence, and harassment of innocent people are some of the complex and multifaceted issues fueling the conflict. In such a volatile environment, the media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and discourse. The ongoing conflict in Manipur has highlighted both the strengths and challenges of the media in such a sensitive and high-stakes environment.

Media in Manipur operates as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it serves as a vital source of information, providing coverage of events and issues that might otherwise go unnoticed on the national stage. On the other hand, the media can also inflame tensions, especially when reporting is biased, sensationalized, or poorly vetted. In the ongoing Manipur conflict, media outlets have been instrumental in bringing issues to national and international platforms.

The Solidarity Rally in Churachandpur on May 3, 2023, organised by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), marked the beginning of the ongoing ethnic conflict. Local media houses and newspapers have been collecting news, including live media coverage, far and wide since May 3, 2023. Media reports on rights abuses, the impact of ethnic conflict on civilians, and the challenges of governance in a conflict zone have all been crucial in shaping the narrative around the crisis.

For instance, the coverage of the lives of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and their struggle for survival by media outlets and news channels has been significant in shaping public discourse. Programs like "Discussion Hour" or other discussion platforms broadcast by channels like ISTV, IMPACT TV, etc., are worth mentioning. The media also plays a watchdog role in the ongoing conflict between the warring communities and with the government.

However, the media's role is not without its pitfalls. In a region as ethnically diverse as Manipur, where different groups have deeply rooted grievances, the way news is reported can significantly influence public opinion. Sensationalism or biassed reporting can easily exacerbate existing tensions, leading to further violence and unrest.

Moreover, the spread of misinformation, particularly through social media, has become a major challenge. In Manipur, where rumours can quickly lead to unrest, the responsibility of the media to provide accurate and balanced reporting is more critical than ever. Periodically, multiple narratives about the conflict emerge in different media outlets and on social media operated by different communities.

Community-oriented social media, like Facebook pages and X accounts, are also used as mediums for spreading fake news, which heightens animosity. Such differences in narratives are considered products of political and ideological stances.

India, despite claiming to be the most democratic country in the world, has poor press freedom. According to the 2024 RSF World Press Freedom Index, India has fallen into an "unofficial state of emergency," ranking 159th out of 180 countries with a global score of 31.28.

With violence against journalists, highly concentrated media ownership, and political alignment, press freedom is in crisis in "the world's largest democracy," ruled since 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and embodiment of the Hindu nationalist right. Despite moving up two places from the 2023 RSF index, India's new position is still unworthy of a democracy.

Journalists in Manipur also face significant challenges in their efforts to report on the current conflict. The threat of violence from warring communities, insurgent groups, as well as pressure from state authorities, creates a perilous environment for those trying to bring the truth to light. The state's history of conflict has seen numerous instances where journalists have been targeted, threatened, or even killed for their work.

This atmosphere of fear can lead to self-censorship, where media outlets may avoid reporting on certain topics or frame stories in a way that avoids controversy, thus depriving the public of a full understanding of the issues at hand. While covering a scuffle that broke out between IDPs and police at the Akampat relief camp area, a sub-inspector of Manipur Police assaulted Impact TV reporter R.C. Mangang.

This unwanted incident which took place on 1st August, 2024 is one example of the incivility and brutal nature of the state's repressive apparatus. This also shows how freedom of press is limited in Manipur. For the media to effectively contribute to peace-building and conflict resolution, several steps are necessary.

First, the media, including foreign and national outlets, need to remain neutral in conflict-sensitive reporting. On September 4, 2024, Arnab Goswami, an Indian journalist and editor-in-chief of the news channel Republic TV, on his show 'The Debate,' posed some questions to the leaders of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) in response to a recent press release issued by ITLF against him.

The questions were as follows:

1. Who invited foreign media to Manipur in early May 2023, the day when thousands turned up for the tribal solidarity march, when not even the media in Delhi had any idea what was going to happen?

2. Why did dozens and hundreds of foreign media outlets land there at that point in time?

3. Who had a tip-off? Did anyone get the sense that violence was about to happen, or did the foreign media land up?

The above questions highlighted a fact that media has been used as a medium to exacerbate the ongoing conflict with false narrative outside the nation. Media should, therefore, remain unbiased, particularly in reporting conflict news. This involves understanding the nuances of the conflict, avoiding language that could inflame tensions, and providing balanced coverage that includes the perspectives of all communities.

Second, ensuring that the media can operate freely and without fear of retribution is essential for maintaining a healthy democracy and providing the public with accurate information.

Finally, the role of social media in the conflict must be addressed. While social media platforms can be powerful tools for information dissemination, they also pose significant risks in terms of spreading misinformation. Media literacy programs aimed at the public can help reduce these risks by teaching people how to critically evaluate the information they encounter online.

The media's role in the ongoing conflict in Manipur is complex and fraught with challenges, but it remains an indispensable part of the region's socio-political landscape. By striving for balanced, accurate, and conflict-sensitive reporting, the media can help foster understanding, reduce tensions, and contribute to the long-term resolution of the conflict.