Attack on media
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 13 2012 -

The importance of media in shaping a healthy democracy is such that it has come to be regarded as the fourth pillar of democracy, the other three pillars being legislature, executive and judiciary.

Generally, Lord Macaulay, a Member of British Parliament, who, long before the dawn of modern journalism, realized the important role that media can play in putting a check and balance on the activities of the other three democratic pillars, has been credited with giving this status to the media.

Indeed, media plays an important role as an informative bridge between governing bodies and general public, and in its absence; the general public are as good as blind to every act of commission and omission of the other three pillars of democracy.

Media not only makes the public aware of various social, political and economical activities happening around the world but also exposes loopholes in the democratic system, thus helping the government to be more accountable, responsive and citizen-friendly.

In short, media is like a mirror which shows us the harsh realities of life and without media, a democratic state or nation is like a vehicle without wheels.

In other words, it is the freedom of media which guarantee the success of a democratically elected government.

In such a backdrop, it is sad to learn that media houses, both print and electronic, in Arunachal Pradesh have been forced to shut down their operations for two days starting from today (November 12) following repeated attacks on journalists in that State.

In the latest incident, the office of 'Echo of Arunachal' was reportedly ransacked and its associated editor assaulted by members of All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation in the evening of Friday last.

After the incident, the attackers also reportedly called up the newspaper's office threatening the management with dire consequences if they lodge any FIR in this connection.

The incident has come about even as the case of 15th July 2012 attack on 'Arunachal Times' Associate Editor Tongam Rina is yet to be solved despite repeated assurances given by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to hand over the case to CBI.

As a matter of fact, when it comes to attack on media houses and journalists, Manipur has its own share of woes to the brim.

Apart from undue pressures from various quarters that media persons in Manipur have to face, merciless killing of HA Lalrohlu, editor of Hmar daily 'Shan'; Thounaojam Brajamani Singh, Editor of 'Manipur News' and Khupkholian Simte, Editor of 'Lenlai' Magazine, etc, are just some of the grim reminders of the most trying condition in which mediapersons in Manipur have to discharge their duties of disseminating information to the public day in and day out.

So, media persons in Manipur could very well feel the angst being experienced by their compatriots in Arunachal Pradesh, and we express our solidarity in the struggle for free media for meaningful democracy.