Nagaland Page, one of Nagaland’s English news dailies finally shut down after over 25 years of publication.
The announcement was formally made by the newspaper’s founder-editor Monalisa Changkija at a press conference held at her residence here on Tuesday.
Stating that she had decided to fold Nagaland Page after much consideration, Changkija recalled that when she had the started newspaper in May 1999, it was the second English newsdaily in the state after Nagaland Post.
She mentioned that the publication’s 25th anniversary edition was published on May 29, 2024, adding that the last issue was December 21, 2024.
She elaborated that she had waited to make the announcement after the Christmas and New Year celebrations, as she needed some time for herself before going public.
She acknowledged that her decision was driven by both financial and personal reasons, noting that Nagaland Page had never been financially stable from the beginning. Yet, she said she continued publishing for over 25 years primarily out of love, admitting that confronting the reality was challenging, but it had to be done.
She pointed out that her newspaper wasn’t the first to shut down, nor would it be the last. She admitted that it wasn’t required to publicly announce the closure of a newspaper, but she felt the need to do so because of her almost 40 years in journalism and her presence in public space, adding that she didn’t want anyone to think she had quit like a coward.
She emphasised that although she had stepped down as editor, she would always remain the founder-editor of Nagaland Page. She said she would also continue to be a journalist, be a part of Nagaland’s media fraternity, and keep writing for as long as she was able to.
Changkija expressed gratitude to everyone who had been an integral part of Nagaland Page’s journey from the beginning, saying they would always hold a special place in her heart. She acknowledged the support of the Nagaland Page family who stood by her through both personal and professional challenges. She also thanked readers, well-wishers, advertisers, distributors, hawkers, and the public.
Noting that the closure of Nagaland Page marked the end of an era in Nagaland’s media history, she however maintained that the media would continue to grow and evolve.
She said each new day and year brought new beginnings and endings. Though there would never be another institution called Nagaland Page, she remarked that she was confident that new and better institutions would emerge to take its place.
She stressed that unless an individual or group decided to buy it and continue publishing, the newspaper officially ended its publication. She revealed that there were people showing interest in buying the newspaper, though nothing had materialised.
She explained that she chose to wait until the festive season was over to make the formal announcement to provide time for potential buyers to come forward, and for herself to make a thoughtful decision, rather than rushing into it.
Citing personal reasons, particularly her health, she disclosed that continuing Nagaland Page as an online edition too was not possible. She maintained that managing an online platform was even more taxing than print.
Changkija said April this year would mark 40 years of her journalism career, recalling that she had begun her journey at 25 when she was freshly out of university, adding that it had taken a toll on her body over time.
Regarding the future of past editions and the website, she mentioned that she hadn’t made any decisions yet, and that she would need to consult with the IT team to figure it out. She remarked that there were many aspects to address and that she would tackle one at a time.
She admitted that she would definitely want Nagaland Page brand to continue, but acknowledged that sustaining a brand required both financial and physical support, which she could no longer provide.
She explained that being a journalist was very taxing, especially for a woman in her 60s to be up working late nights. She mentioned that while the brand was important, she now had to prioritise her health and personal life. However, she revealed that she had plans to continue writing, focusing on her columns, poetry, short stories, and essays. She also mentioned that she had intention to learn more about technology and social media to stay engaged and connected with her readers.
Regarding the employees, Changkija said most of the staff, including machine operators and correspondents, were part-timers and already had other jobs. She assured of trying her best to assist them, hoping that other newspapers would absorb them.
She said the closure process would take time, for which some employees remained with her until everything was sorted out.
Asked if she would reconsider shutting down Nagaland Page if a buyer or investor came forward, she replied that while an investor might bring in funds, she would need to consider the conditions attached, wondering how she would manage the paper under an investor if she couldn’t even run it herself. In contrast, she pointed out that a buyer could take over the paper, and she would assist during the transition, but would not be involved in its management
Changkija acknowledged that making the decision was difficult, but she had to take it. Reflecting on many things as she grew older, she said she still wanted to pursue many things in life before it became too late.
In her younger years, she admitted that she might not have thought this way, but life brought new perspectives, and her priorities had shifted. While people in Nagaland might not be accustomed to someone deciding to move on and try something new, she explained that she was exercising her right to choose.
She made it clear that her decision was not about leaving to become something else entirely, but about recognising that she and the paper were separate entities, adding that she needed to make a personal choice.
She pointed out that all journalists were not newspaper owners and all newspaper owners were not journalists. After being both a journalist and newspaper owner, she said she was returning to her roots as a journalist again, reiterating that she would continue to write as long as her health permitted and her capacity to write, with many ideas she wanted to explore.
She expressed her desire to refocus on writing once again, acknowledging that this shift might upset some people in the process but she felt it was necessary to focus on her writing, which had been limited during her time as editor.