The Closure of 'Nagaland Page' --- is perhaps the failure of the people of the state !
How ?
"Bad Coins drive good ones out of circulation" --
- Sir Thomas Gresham, economist of Queen Elizabeth
The quote above is not with any malaise !! But it's a fact the newspaper has gone out of circulation. There could be multiple reasons - some to be discussed and some need not be.
But essentially the plea is here for the vanishing art called 'writing' or objective news reporting. The shutters have been brought down and it is not only the casualty of a newspaper.
Well, to start with, a newspaper is not a commodity. We shall take the debate further. This is not the first newspaper under the sky or in Nagaland to be closed. Nor it's the last.
Yet the discussion is must. In a totally different context Woodrow Wilson, the American politician, had said long back -- the President is the representative of no constituency but the 'whole people'. The same definition actually can sum up the virtues of a newspaper.
Talking about democracy maybe I have written in the past in these blogs that men or women of exceptional calibre and high character do not get elected/even selected to a high position. A good Editor is already a typical 'already a vanished product'.
Good journalists and good editors are vanishing fast because most in the profession have started looking for other benefits. In Delhi or in various state capitals in various large states - Editors are more interested to get Rajya Sabha memberships.
So the casualty was quality journalism.
Hence, this piece should obviously make a reference to the performance of Editor of 'Nagaland Page' Madam Monalisa Chankija. She led the team from the front. She is/was also very bold as an editor and did not mind entertaining contributions from journalists with totally different ideologies and views than hers.
I was one such scribe; and it goes without stating.
But a more fundamental issue is the failure of the 'readers' to appreciate what service the paper had given to the state of Nagaland, its people and others.
In 2023 for the 'Nagaland Page' anniversary issue, I wrote:
"Credibility comes much harder in print journalism and more so in a state where advertising revenue is solely dependent on government mercy."
But how many of you bothered ?
I also wrote:
"Challenges have been faced in the past. Some were equivalent to life threats, and crises are far from over.
(The newspaper, the editor and others came under all kinds of pressure tactics but they did not give up. Details not in general interest to be shared as of now.)
I had also written:
"There are critics and there are a good number of those who disapprove of the manner the edit/news content is decided. My association with the paper might have added more worries to the newspaper and the Edit team.
The so-called candid writing and displaying a garb of bravery may be easy from a distance in Delhi; but to publish the news and hard-hitting and below the belt comments on ground zero is a different ball game.
There have been occasions the newspaper and the staff got caution and questioned 'kuun asey etu, (Who is this... writing all whimsical things from Delhi?)".
But the paper never allowed such things to influence the decision
on what to write the next day."
Again none bothered.
My point is simple; a society should value its 'assets' and this 'closed newspaper' was an asset. It worked like a mirror. And as the phrase goes - 'Nagaland Page' did not mind calling spade a spade.
Now, I will talk matters more fundamental.
In today's world no newspaper -- small or big - can survive without adequate revenue generation from advertisements. But all that cannot come when the entire state does not really encourage anything called 'industry'
There are various historical, social and political reasons behind that.
But yet again -- none bothered.
Industries are interlinked. They not only give jobs, they have products and even by-products. They ought to be marketed. There would be need for adverstisements.
But yet again nothing like that happened. Of course, a few newspapers and TV channels are surviving in Nagaland .... still.
But how long? I am stating this notwithstanding the fact that some of the functional media houses have considerably deep pockets. For healthy journalism - you need more.
Many netas irrespective of party affiliations may say - the state has many problems, what is so important about 'free speech, good news reporting and quality newspapers and TV news channels'.
The point is taken.
But before I conclude - I will ask such questioners -- go to your room and throw out all mirrors you have at home.
Next day ... get ready for a party/celebration without using the glass piece even once.
Newspaper is exactly a mirror. It's a must. Just type 'Why do you need newspapers?' before uncle Google and he will respond among other things ---
"Reading newspaper makes a good habit and it is already part of the modern life. This habit will widen your outlook and will enrich your knowledge."
Tail piece:
On April 14, 2023, when I met Nagaland Governor La Ganesan, casually I told him, "I also write for a small paper 'Nagaland Page';
the Governor shot back with a smile on his face -- "Why small ? Don't go by the size of the paper...Tell your Editor, I do not miss to read the paper daily".
Story link -- River may be flowing ......
ends
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