Air Kohima
A file photo of the AIR News, Kohima’s studio. (Photo Courtesy: AIR News Kohima @allindiaradionewskohima/Facebook)
Kohima, April 20 (MExN): Two days after The Morung Express reported that the All India Radio, Kohima is likely to resume local languages broadcast from April 20, an official announcement regarding the same was made on Monday.
The All India Radio, Kohima has resumed the broadcast of local language programmes with effect from April 20. The broadcast is being made in 14 local dialects keeping the public informed and updated on COVID-19 news and other important matters, a DIPR report informed.
A DIPR report stated that in the battle to keep the people informed on the various steps, directions and advisories of the government, experts and other agencies on COVID-19 on a daily basis through the mass media, the public, especially in the rural areas, depend on the radio broadcasts.
“The internet editions of these papers are not available to majority of the public especially those in the rural areas and radio has become even more relevant as a most reliable source of information to the rural masses of the State,” it added.
After the suspension, the Department of Information and Public Relation has written to the Head of Office, AIR requesting for continuation of local language/dialect programmes citing that people must be informed on the various steps, directions and advisories of the government, experts and other agencies on a daily basis, The Morung Expres report had informed.
The letter appended by IPR Director Limawati Ao stated that concerns in this regard have also been voiced by the Chief Minister as well as the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, it added.
Speaking to The Morung Express, Head of Programme, N Kaimang Chang on April 18 assured that arrangements has been made to news broadcasting in local languages by April 20.
He cited some hiccups in the logistics arrangements – conveyance for employees due to the lockdown restrictions and non issuance of identity cards to the ‘contractual employees’ and restriction of movement for the temporary suspension.
