Kohima Press Club (KPC) celebrated its 25th anniversary on January 20 at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, under the theme “Traversing 25 years of storytelling: Inspiring the future.”
Delivering the keynote address, president of Press Club of India, Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, lauded KPC for commemorating its silver jubilee through meaningful engagement with journalists from neighbouring states.
She described the celebration as a timely and reflective exercise for the profession, and congratulated KPC members for their dedication and professionalism despite a small membership base.
Drawing from her three decades of experience in journalism, Pisharoty noted that the profession has never been easy, but challenges today are far more complex due to weakening financial models, corporate ownership, political interference and erosion of editorial independence. She cautioned that the line between journalism and public relations has increasingly blurred, weakening public trust and accountability.
Expressing concern over recent laws and regulations, including the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, she said journalistic exemptions had been diluted and the Right to Information (RTI) framework weakened, restricting access to information vital for public interest reporting.
Highlighting technology as both opportunity and threat, she said digital platforms have expanded reach and speed but also disrupted jobs and created new vulnerabilities, particularly for journalists in smaller towns facing legal pressure and institutional insecurity.
Calling for public participation in sustaining credible journalism, Pisharoty urged citizens to financially support independent media platforms. She outlined her priorities as PCI president, including protecting journalists facing legal challenges, establishing legal support cells, organising training workshops on technology and digital security, and building a federation of elected press clubs across the country. She invited KPC to join the proposed national federation to strengthen collective advocacy for press freedom.
She also highlighted the growing leadership of women in journalism in the Northeast, acknowledging pioneers such as Monalisa Changkija, and said the region continues to set examples in inclusive media leadership.
In her presidential address, KPC president Alice Yhoshü urged journalists to draw inspiration from life’s many streams that nurture hope and resilience despite challenges, and called on members to remain focused on truth and storytelling. She recalled the club’s formation in 2001 and its commitment to ethical journalism, fellowship and public service.
Former KPC vice president Vibou Seyie, in her greetings, acknowledged the pioneers and visionary leaders who laid the foundation of the organisation. She reflected on the club’s journey from holding meetings in small offices to becoming a strong institution with a permanent building coming up. Sharing nostalgic experiences, she highlighted the challenges of reporting in earlier days and appreciated the growing participation of women in media today.
Earlier, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of deceased members of KPC.
The inaugural programme was followed by the Northeast Media Conclave themed “Reimagining Truth: Northeast Journalism for a Changing World.” The first session, moderated by Medolenuo Ambrocia Loucü of KPC, focused on “Evolving Nature of Media: Ethics under Pressure and Strengthening Credibility in the Age of Misinformation.” Speakers included Monalisa Changkija (Nagaland), Pradip Phanjoubam (Manipur), Geetartha Pathak (Indian Journalists Union), Karma Paljor (Sikkim) and Raymond Kharmujai (Meghalaya).
The second session, moderated by Dhiren A. Sadokpam (Manipur), explored “Journalism as Peace Work: Navigating Divides, Building Bridges and Strengthening the Media Ecosystem in the Northeast.” Panelists included Vanlalrema Vantawl (Mizoram), Utpal Parashar (Assam), Ranju Dodum (Arunachal Pradesh) and Debraj Deb (Tripura).
The conclave served as a platform for cross-border collaboration among journalists of the Northeast, reaffirming the media’s responsibility in promoting truth, accountability and social harmony in a rapidly changing information landscape.
NPF congratulates KPC on 25th anniv
DIMAPUR: Naga People’s Front (NPF) has conveyed congratulations to Kohima Press Club (KPC) on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.
In a message, NPF described the silver jubilee as a celebration of a quarter-century of commitment to journalistic ethics, press freedom and responsible reporting in Nagaland. It acknowledged KPC’s role in providing a vital platform for media practitioners to engage, collaborate and strengthen professional standards in pursuit of truth and public interest.
The party also paid tribute to the pioneer members of KPC, mentioning that their foundational contributions and vision continue to inspire today’s journalists and will be remembered with respect.
As the club celebrates this milestone, NPF commended the dedication, professional commitment and integrity of KPC members. At a time of rapid technological change and rising misinformation, the party noted that adherence to ethical journalism remains crucial for an informed society.