Two days without newspapers. That happened in Manipur. Dharna was also launched by scribes to protest against the restrictions imposed on the functioning of newspapers and media houses. Such incident is really unfortunate. Such incidents happen quite often in the strife torn state like
ours. Nobody can tackle it. Media houses are left to solve the problem on their own. Niceties of democracy were thrown in the wind. Minus powerful free press democracy has no meaning. The right to expression is safe guarded when the media houses both print and electronic can function independently without facing intimidation and infringement. It should be the duty of all to keep a vibrant media in Manipur, for minus powerful media the down trodden will remain trampled upon by the high and mighty groups of people. Do not do anything to curtail the freedom of speech. That however should not mean one should be given the liberty to utter blah blah on the roads. By freedom of speech we mean the ability to shout down the wrongs done by the high and mighty people. Keeping a vibrant media in a state like Manipur has become a difficult job. Working in the press is just like walking on the tied rope unless you move straight you
will fall. An editor quipped if one should be shot for moving backward, side ward or forward, it would be better dying standing erect without moving. If the editors have taken a stand it must be for the betterment of the society, another editor quipped. But who cares attitude has been shown. Something needs to be done to check the erosion into the freedom of press. It is time everyone realises that in keeping media houses in shambles nothing will be gained. That will pave the way for onset of chaos and confusion. Remember when the newspapers ceased publication abnormal things happened. Rumour mongers churned their mills and to sow hate and hatred between man and man. What we are hoping against hope is that better sense should prevail without delay to restore the normal functioning of the media houses. Confusion if any between man and man can be thrashed out through negotiation. Are you prepared for that? Wherever you are listen the voice of the masses and try to act in accordance with the expectation of the masses. One must be able to correct oneself. Until that happens we all continue to lead hellish way of life.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unfortunate-episode/
