Manipur media in a dilemma

By B.B Sharma *

In Manipur, media persons are most harassed lot.

A phone call from any unknown quarters easily upset their schedule often leading to suspension of publication of their newspapers. This is exactly what happened on 11 June, 2008 in the state.

All the local dailies, published in Imphal the capital city of Manipur, suspended their publications on 16 and 17 June, 2008 following a "life-threat" from one faction of the banned underground outfit, the Kangleipak Communist Party (MC). There are so many insurgent outfits in the state that one cannot even recollect their number unless counted on fingertips.

Again some of these outfits are dogged with factionalism and each faction issues statements in a bid to gain legitimacy or take claim over the name of the outfit. This often leads to a struggle for domination and legitimacy over use of the name of the outfit.

This war of domination among factions spill-over on the pages of local newspapers or other media. Any editor or media-house that does not fall in line with the diktats of any group has to face dire consequences.

In 2006, six editors of six leading local dailies and a popular local cable TV network were taken into captivity by a faction of Kangleipak Communist Party (MTF) and set free only after the local dailies published the press release issued by the KCP (MTF).

In 2007, another faction-fight of another banned outfit made an assassination attempt on the life of the editor of the Kangla Pao - a local evening newspaper near his office, although he escaped unhurt. In the Same year, the militants threatened the editor of the Sangai Express with a bomb placed on his table for not succumbing to their pressure.

On each occasion media persons suspended their publications for days together in protest against the actions of the militants and sat on dharna at Keishampat Junction, Imphal.

However, this time (June, 2008) the suspension of publication of newspapers generated a debate among the people and media persons had to resume their normal work after two days.

It is also true that the writ of the militants is such that quite often the editors are reluctant to edit the press handouts issued by the militant outfits. But the situation, media finds itself today, is in direct proportion to the conflict situation in the state.

The situation has drawn the attention of the Press Council of India (PCI) which sent out a study team to Manipur in 2007. In its report, since adopted in Goa 2007, the Assessment Committee of the Press Council of India on violation of the press in the north east, says that the media in Manipur should be restrained and careful in publishing news items or press releases of the outlawed organizations.

The report says, "glorification of militancy and violence has adverse effect on society. Compromise with the outlawed never ensures safety and security of media persons; rather it attracts more troubles".

The media persons of the state have been advised to, "strictly abide by the guidelines set out by the Press Council of India on coverage of militant related-news and handouts". The same report also cautions the state government "not to impose any restriction or pre-censorship on the media in the name of fighting militancy".

On the basis of the said report of the Assessment Committee of PCI, the Chief Secretary, Mr Jarnail Singh instructed the Director General of Police, Government of Manipur to collect all the issues of local newspapers of May, 2008 and scrutinize specific violations of the guidelines of the PCI and submit it to the Press Council of India for cancellation of registration of those erring newspapers.

The chief secretary even said that, "there is an allegation that our newspaper has been purchased by one militant organization. This may be examined and if found correct, action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act may be launched".

The Chief Secretary Mr Jarnail Singh also met six prominent editors of local dailies on several occasions on this matter and conveyed the government's intention that this time it means business.

The report of the Assessment Committee of the PCI has also underlined the need for special incentives, generous group insurance cover, disturbance allowances etc. to media persons working under hazardous conditions or perilous assignments in conflict situation.

However, newspaper has problems peculiar to itself. It is a private (business) enterprise that functions as a public institution. As a public institution it is expected to serve in public interest.

If, as suggested by the PCI Assessment Committee, media persons obtained special incentives, it may ultimately lead to government supervision on media, which will be repugnant to a "free press".

On the other hand surrendering the right to edit a press handout will undermine its credibility as a free press. Hence, the vital question before media in Manipur today is how far the media should accommodate militancy-related information without compromising the core values of a "free and responsible press".

Now, the question raised by the Chief Secretary whether media in Manipur have overstepped the guidelines prescribed by the Press Council of India needed to be seriously viewed by media persons in their best interest and credibility of media in Manipur