Conflicts also put Responsible Journalism in tatters ::: Manipur's Phubala village row involving Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry is one

"Hollow Journalism" 

When Peacekeepers - the armed forces - in the Conflict Zone are subjected to baseless allegations

The duty of journalists is to be as objective as possible. To give the news impartially without fear or favour regardless of sects or interests involved.

Indian army is always in demand. They have to do their jobs during conflicts or during clashes with armed groups and others along the borders. In 'peace time' - they serve people risking own health and safety during any disaster.

Recent floods in Manipur, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh were prime examples. 

But whenever the troubles are over and there is 'good time'; the good works are forgotten and the army is easily subjected to criticism like punching bags. In north east, it has been a fashion.

During long stint of Congress in power in all seven states; nothing much was done to change this perception. The legacy and its fallout continues even up to this day.

Media also goes by the local sentiment and generally push anti-forces line.

In the already fragile landscape of Manipur, where every incident has the potential to stir unrest, the role of responsible journalism becomes even more crucial. But in general sense instead we have love for 'sensationalism' and craze for this hollow reporting. This is a phenomenon of deep concern both at the national and the global level.

Who trusts media these days -- is an oft-heard refrain.

All these could be reflected in the context of conflicts in Manipur as we try to ponder about the unending conflict situations in the state.

The national media could not diagnose the real malady that led to the mess in Manipur. This is partly because the media in India today is generally lost in the 'war' either to blame the Modi government for all ills or to appreciate it for everything happening 'good' under the sky. 

Factual reporting becomes a casualty !! 

In Phubala, a quiet village resting along the scenic Loktak Lake, the sudden and tragic death of a local woman due to a bullet injury on 19 Jun 25 left the community grieving and anxious. 

As usual with the circumstances still under investigation, emotions naturally ran high. But rather than wait for facts to emerge, rumours and speculation quickly started swirling, fueled largely by social media.

Amidst this charged atmosphere, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) called for a bandh — a familiar form of protest in the region. As businesses closed and public life came to a halt, tension threatened to spill over. Then came a surprise announcement by ITLF that the bandh was called off as an amicable solution has been reached between the civil administration and the community.

The calling off of the bandh,  brought a brief sense of relief — an opportunity for call and facts to be verified.

But just as the situation appeared to stabilize, a new spark ignited fresh tensions. 

An unsigned, unauthenticated document was posted on social media and shared widely, alleging that the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) battalion deployed in the area, had accepted responsibility to the circumstances leading to the death of the lady. 

This was fake and baseless. But the local mainstream media and others did not bother much to check the authenticity of such claims. There was possibly a mischief element to push such a false narrative.

Was it to defame army or there was a political motive too ?

The security forces issued a statement:

"It is reiterated that the content published regarding the Indian Army is entirely baseless and fabricated.  Indian Army is neither responsible for the events nor has it made any agreement with anyone".

The fact of the matter is the publication of such false information appears to be a deliberate attempt to malign the image of the Security Forces and incite unrest among local communities. 

"Media houses are requested to act responsibly and verify facts with official spokesperson of Ministry of Defence prior to publishing of articles," the MoD said. 

It is obvious that the document (that claimed JAKLI has accepted blame) lacked any official validation. Thus 'responsible journalism' says these would normally be treated with extreme caution.

But instead of investigating its authenticity, several local media outlets hastily published the contents without verification, probably trying to bank a lot sensationalism to satisfy the liking of a section of readers. 

"This kind of unfiltered amplification of unverified claims is not just sloppy journalism — it is dangerous, especially in conflict zones like Manipur," says an analyst in Delhi.

He further pointed out:

"Security forces such as the JAKLI battalion operate under extremely challenging conditions, working to restore order and protect civilians amidst ongoing ethnic unrest. To level such grave accusations against them, without credible evidence, not only threatens their morale but also risks undermining public trust in the very institutions striving to maintain peace".

Of course at a later stage, the MoD’s rebuttal was widely published across national media platforms, including major outlets, which prominently highlighted the Defence ministry’s and Govt of India's firm stance. 

We must give the due ... This intervention helped bring much-needed clarity, exposing the lack of professionalism displayed by sections of the local press.

As Manipur continues its delicate path toward healing and stability, the media must reflect on its role. 

Media should stick to its role of a fly on the wall. The real fourth pillar of democracy.

It can either act as a force for peace — presenting facts responsibly — or as a catalyst for divisions -- driven by haste and unchecked narratives. 

This recent episode has made it painfully clear how easily the line between reporting and rumour-mongering can be crossed. 

The conflict is complex. Of course, as we see it in 2025 - what the mess of 2023 meant --- it was and is more than just a job and university and medical and engineering education.

ends