Nagaland: Nagaland Media is probably the least corrupted: Rupin Sharma

Morung Express News
Kohima | November 16 

“Nagaland Media is probably the least corrupted and least polluted except when it is on the tribal lines”, remarked Rupin Sharma, IPS, Director General of Police, Prisons, Home Guards, Civil Defence & SRDF on Wednesday while addressing the National Press Day 2022 organised by the Kohima Press Club at LCS Building, Kohima.

“I have seen media people elsewhere in the country…Monetarily, Nagaland media is less corrupted,” he stated while speaking on the theme ‘The Media’s Role in Nation Building.’ “At the micro and personal level, I think nation building means producing good people, producing good individuals in the society, people who are honest, people who are hardworking, people who have a scientific bend of mind, people who can tolerate nonsense and nuisance, people who can accept views of others, people who can question the ones in the authority,” Sharma said.

“This is the concept that we should have in a modern democracy”, he pointed out. Asserting that everyone has to work in cohesion, he emphasized that “this cohesion comes out of respect for each other, understanding the bounds and limitations of each other but also pushing the limits every time, pushing things at every step and every hurdle.” The media, he added plays a big role in all these.

Delivering the keynote address, Atono Tsükrü Kense, General Secretary, KPC said that the Press Council of India has given ‘the role of media in nation building’ as the theme for National Press Day, to appreciate, analyse and ascertain the plausible ways that may pave the way towards preserving the standards of Indian media.

She observed that in this era of digitalisation, ethical journalism is being inundated in an abyss of immediacy and sales, rather than professionalism and credibility. “We are in such a time where many are charmed by the digital spaces and have become pseudo-journalists - distorting the ethics of journalism,” she said.

Referring to challenges like censorship, political pressure, intimidation etc, she urged journalists to ask themselves why they are in their profession. 

Despite the pressure and meagre pay, she expressed belief that “we are all here because of our passion” and further added, “on this day, let us be reminded to stand by our code of journalistic ethics i.e. truth and accuracy, of being independent voices, fairness and impartiality, accountability and humanity.”

Presenting the KPC-NBOCWWB Media Fellowship Certificates & Grant Money to the fellows- Henlly Phom Odyuo, Limasenla Jamir and Medolenuo Ambrocia, Dr. Kekhrie Yhome, Chairman, NBOCWWB, said, “we have travelled the road together.”

He expressed belief that the media fraternity has taken a step further in highlighting the issues surrounding the construction sector. He commended the fellows for the tremendous work they put in, “the kind of thematic study and investigative work” that resulted in the completion of the fellowship. “I am very pleased with the work and we would like to continue with this partnership”, he said.

An interactive session on ‘The Limitations of freedom of speech & expression in the advent of the internet/social media’ was also held. Other highlights of the event included prayer by Rana Chetri, music by Seyie Keretsu and vote of thanks by Asa Seyie, Vice President, KPC while H Chishi chaired the programme.