Manipur - State Of The Media
- Part 2 -

By:- Romeo Naorem *

Fourth Estate in the Hills – Voices Emerging from the Periphery

The recent years have seen a sudden surge in the number of dialect newspapers, journals and magazines vying to share shelf space with well established regional and national dailies and publications.

Many of these single sheets, black and white papers reflect the taste of the tribal, and carry local news, views and opinions, generally sidelined by the state and national media. Most of these papers are run by a new breed of journalists, with fire in their bellies, who are willing to go the extra mile with a never-say-die attitude to struggle and survive in the limited space where the reputed state papers have had a lion's share of the booty.

A motto of 'reaching the unreached' propels them forward. They are a boon to the villagers in the interior tribal areas who can't understand English or Manipuri. People can easily identify themselves with the news and views expressed in their native dialects.

The dialect Press also serves as a window to the world for these marginalized people. Most of these papers carry national, international and state news along with the local events keeping them updated with the things happenings around the world, giving them a first hand account of modernization and globalization. It brings the world closer to their village and their lives. As a result they slowly learn to develop their own independent views and opinions on a wider perspective.

Interestingly, the dialect Press distributes newspapers to even remote village where vehicles can't go. Newspapers are sent through village runners in bundle. Even though they face financial crunch due to defaulters, they still carry on with their trade.

Aja, a bilingual daily in Tangkhul and English published and edited by Valley Rose from Imphal has been surviving since 1992 in spite of the trials and tribulations at the infant stage, with a wide readership among the Tangkhul community in imphal and Ukhrul district of Manipur.

She is a seasoned journalist and was a National Executive member of the Indian Federation of Small and Medium Newspapers. Valley Rose is an old hand, who has perfected the art of taking threats, criticism, encouragement and support, all, in the same vein. With a lean staff of less than 10 people, she still manages a readership of around 3000.

The Lamka Post is the first offset and electronic printed newspaper in the Manipur hills, launched on the September 1 2001. It has now become the largest circulated bilingual daily in the South District (Churachandpur) of Manipur. Its success can be attributed to the constant value addition, like entertainment and lifestyle, current news, sports news, combating HIV/AIDS, employment opportunity and interesting local based articles.

The newspaper has become a mega media powerhouse, providing greater value to its readers and advertisers through strategic partnerships, ever-increasing scope of operations and a consumer focused approach.

The Lamka Post is subscribed by eminent social leaders of different tribes viz. Paite, Simte, Mizo, Gangte, Vaiphei, Thadou/Kuki including the Meitei populace. The daily has 7,000 subscribers.

Other papers published in Churachandpur district are Manipur Express (English), Chhantu, Thuhiltu, Hmasawnna Thar, Sikni-eng etc (All dialect dailies).

SOM-INN (A Learners' Dormitory) a monthly bilingual magazine in Thadou-Kuki & English published from Kangpokpi is circulated in the Thadou-Kuki speaking areas of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Shillong, Delhi, Pune, and Bangalore.

Published from Tamenglong in Rongmei Naga dialect, DihCham is the lone daily published in the Zeliangrong dialect. Jingvalpa – a monthly News Magazine in Thadou-Kuki was ensued on December 6, 2001 at L.Molsang Village of Tujang Area in Manipur's Sadar Hills.

Freedom of the Press – A Farce ?

Discussing "freedom of the Press" in a limited democratic space like in Manipur, where freedom is defined by non-state actors, is bizarre. Journalists face the greatest challenge while reporting in a conflict zone in the Northeast.

Manipur is one such zone, which has been reeling under the impact of insurgency for almost half a century. Journalists carrying out their duties under tremendous stress and strain have been time and again targeted and threatened by separatist outfits, or assaulted and harassed by security personnel. They are caught between the devil and deep sea in the war of abrasion, intimidated by the state administration, the security forces and the non-state actors.

The Indian Army has built unassailable fortresses at different strategic locations in Manipur, as befitting a conflict zone, rather than a federal part of a democratic India. In such situation, journalists have no other choice but risk such venture to perform their duty.

They are also wary of constant threats and harassments from various factions of UG outfits operating in the state. 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.

To be continued ....