Witoubou Newmai
An organization based in New Delhi is holding a programme on March 5 on the role of “national media” as the “most essential” part in the “all round development of the North East region.”
Events of such nature are the need of the hour when we consider the fact that skewed reportage or very less coverage on the North East region by the “national or mainstream media” has formed unpleasant perceptions about the region and its people.
Skewed reportage on the region for decades has done much damage but still, the ‘national or mainstream media houses’ would not like to change their course. The onslaught of damaging work continues unabated.
The manner most journalists based in ‘mainland India’ reported on the recent highly charged Nagaland situation was nothing but just ‘table-reporting/arm-chair journalism’, thereby taking reportage no closer to justice and truth. Skewed reportage with Guwahati/Delhi/Kolkata datelines on the Kohima or Dimapur situation were nothing but ‘aerial culling’ of information done by arm-chair journalists some hundreds or thousands of kilometers away from ‘ground zero’.
Even on the United Naga Council sponsored movement against the Manipur Government over the district creation issue, the ‘national or mainstream’ journalists are only interested in emphasizing and stressing on the economic blockade and its impact, and not willing to step one bit further to employ the ‘what, where, who, why, how and when’ template of journalistic investigation. There is a desperate need for the ‘mainstream media houses’ to realize how independent journalism through collaboration with local sources can have a more authentic articulation of ground realities.
Most media houses based in ‘mainland India’ have been embracing a ruinous culture of engaging in rhetoric and half-baked stories for decades when it comes to reportage on issues pertaining to the North East region. Such obsession with theatrics and hyperbole is not only undermining the ethics of journalism and humanity, but also building up odious perceptions.
For the sake of humanity, the media should report the truth. They are indulging in sensationalism and planting fear and doubts instead of ameliorating the charged atmosphere. The focus on local sentiment continues to escape the close scrutiny of the 'national media'. We need to ask what spurs them to do so.
In a time when the intolerance level of one group towards another group is perceived to be rising, the way certain news outlets are manufacturing undesirable perceptions to cater to popular sentiments is creating a dangerous precedence. “Perception is reality,” said Republican strategist Mr. Lee Atwater. Leader of Alternative for Germany, Mr. Georg Pazderski, expanded this maxim saying, “What people feel is what they perceive as reality.”
As long as ‘mainstream journalists’ are not willing to discard table-reporting/arm-chair journalism, ranting and noise will continue to dominate their pages and screens. Efforts to make relevant the ‘what, where, who, why, how and when’ template of journalistic investigation should be encouraged by 'mainstream media houses'.
