Special guest Voto Neikha and others with KPC members during 13th KPC foundation day on January 13. (Morung Photo)
Kohima Press Club observes 13th Foundation Day
The Kohima Press Club (KPC) today observed its 13th foundation day at KPC conference hall with Voto Neikha, PS to parliamentary secretary for information & public relations as the special guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Neikha thanked all the KPC members for rendering valuable and selfless services to the people of Kohima in particular and the Nagas in general. He said that today everyone knows the importance of press and also the role play by the press, adding that it gives information about the activities, policies programmes of the government and the happenings in the state, national and international.
“Now the press is reaching in every nook and corner of the state which makes the people more acquainted of the information and happening across the globe. Stating that press fraternity of the state is second to none, he said “ It is undeniable fact that you are doing a commendable job in our state and also disseminate the activities to the rest of the country,” he said adding that press coverage in day today activities and happening bet it government, NGOs or different organizations etc. is laudable.
Referring to the role of newspapers/press, Neikha said, “An efficient and fearless press is one of the prerequisite of democracy.” It acts as a watchdog of democracy where ideas and majority opinions prevail. It acts as bridge between the government and the people. Newspaper informed the people of the programmes, policies and the activities of the government. Similarly, they keep the government informed of the reaction of the people, their problems, grievances, hopes and aspirations. Stating that the primary duty of the press is objective reporting of the news and views in a calm and dispassionate manner, he said that it should not indulge in yellow journalism.
Also stating that freedom of speech and expression is a sine qua non of the functioning of a democratic polity, he said, “Democracy means a government by persuasion and unless there is freedom for discussion of political as well as other matters, the polity could not be termed democracy. So the most important ingredient of democracy is the existence of free and fearless press.” In a democracy the press must enjoy complete freedom and should not be subjected to any restriction, he said adding that freedom of the press is the heart of the social and political intercourse. It is the primary duty of the court to uphold the freedom of the press and invalidate/nullify all laws or administrative actions which interfere with it contrary to the constitutional mandate. The voice of the press is the voice of the people, he said adding that censoring the press means the suppression of the people’s voice. The press is the defender and the protector of the rights and liberties of the people.
Meanwhile, Neikha requested the KPC to initiate a platform for public debate on certain selected issues or topics in future. Earlier, KPC vice president Ketu Viluo pronounced invocation prayer while welcome address was delivered by Vincent Belho. The function concluded with vote of thanks by KPC president Kopelo Krome.
