‘Media persons have been made soft targets by both state and non-state actors’
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 2 (MExN): The Nagaland Press Association (NPA) has condemned the assault on a media house whereby a staff of Nagaland Page, Dimapur was assaulted within the press premises by IRB personnel on January 31, during the time of the bandh.
A press note from the NPA informed that the publisher of Nagaland Page has decided not to publish its print edition due to security concerns for its employees. This, it added, is a matter of deep concern.
While the Dimapur police apologized telephonically for the incident, the NPA felt that this alone is not sufficient and that necessary and tangible steps must be taken to ensure the security of those working in the fourth estate.
The NPA further expressed concern that media persons have been made ‘soft targets’ by both state and non-state actors. The NPA cannot remain a mute spectator to repeated assaults made against its fraternity members, it asserted.
Therefore, the NPA stated that the government and public must henceforth realise that the media in Nagaland is the only proper outlet for public communication and dialogue and it is high time this role of the media be respected.
The Dimapur Press Club (DPC) has also condemned the incident. A press note from the DPC noted that that even media persons are not spared during such events by various agencies, not realising media houses act as a communication platform for public, and appealed the public and government to respect the profession of media in Nagaland and avoid such incidents from occurring in future.
