A beginning was made, when media persons from North East participated at the ‘North East Media Conclave’ that was held in Dimapur by the Department of Tourism coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Nagaland Post on December 3, 2015 evening at Hotel Lake Shilloi.
Despite the short notice owing to delay in official procedures, media persons from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Delhi and Nagaland actively participated in the discussions.
Editor Nagaland Post Geoffrey Yaden, in his welcome address, invited media persons present, to ponder over the need to explore ways in which the media could play a catalytic role in providing inputs in framing relevant development policies in their respective states. The panellists included : parliamentary secretary Tourism C. Apok Jamir, Editor The Morung Express Akum Longchari and senior correspondent The Indian Express Samudra Kashyap while the moderator was Dr. Neel Konwar psychologist and visiting lecturer at various universities in Assam.
Parliamentary secretary Tourism Apok Jamir wanted the media ponder over veering away from negativity where sensationalism and controversies only led to fuelling of scepticism among the readers and people. He said the negativity in the region’s media had, to a large extent, fuelled animosity among the neighbouring states adding, that this had also painted an incorrect picture of the region, where its problems overshadowed the potentials.
Former chief secretary Alemtemshi Jamir IAS (Retd) wondered whether it was the media’s fault that its obsession with headlines have only raised pessimism among society and especially the youths or was it the fault of the government? He also gave a brief account of the success stories of government enterprises such as Bamboo Mission and Honey Mission in Nagaland. He said the keywords to development was ‘Team work’. In particular, he highlighted the core of the Bamboo Mission about reform and restructuring.
Akum Longchari , Editor The Morung Express, likened development concept to a Naga caravan, hijacked on its way. He said the three options for the caravan were- first was to move on; the second, to seek a different path and the third, to return to the original path. Akum felt that,in the context of Naga society, when people were being reduced to objects in a culture of unequal distribution of wealth and exploitation, any policy for development would be short sighted and only end up perpetrating the same cycle. He maintained, that development should be reconceptualised in the context of “recovery and reconciliation” in the social, economic and political milieu.
Senior Correspondent The Indian Express Samudra Kashyap reiterated, that media was a tool for development but that it did not talk about it even if there were much to report about it. He also wondered whether society and universities were talking about it. He also asked whether north east MPs raised development issues in parliament. Illustrating on development, said after a film was made about Tawang (Arunchal Pradesh), tourists flocked to Dibrugarh for the trip to Tawang. This brought tremendous development to Dibrugarh, he said.
Dasho Neten Zangmo, former foreign secretary and also former cabinet secretary in the Royal Government of Bhutan and also stressed on the pivotal role of good governance in facilitating economic progress in a society. She was also chairperson of the anti-corruption committee of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Others who also participated in the discussion and question and answer hour included – parliamentary secretary higher education, Deo Nukhu, Editor Assam Bani Dileep Chandan, Editor Arunachal Times Mrs Tonggam, Editor Eastern Sentinel Jarpum Gamlin, Editor Eastern Projections P.P. Singh, Rami Desai (Pathfinder, New Delhi), Navdeep Singh Rajasthan BJP media in-charge, Senior Correspondent Raymond Kharmujai (Shillong), former minister Merentoshi Jamir MLA, and Director Peace Channel Nagaland Fr.C.P. Anto.
Editor Aizwal Post C. Lalrambuatsaiha, Aizawl PTI bureau chief H.C. Vanlalruata, Neiphrezo Keditsu chairman NSMDC, former chief secretary Banuo Z.Jamir, former DGP B. Kezo, NPF vice president T.L. Merry, Fr. K. Chacko, president CII Nagaland Ajay Sethi, Dr. Vikousa Neinu, young entrepreneurs and intellectuals attended the conclave.