Editor,
“It is not enough for journalists to see themselves as mere messengers without understanding the hidden agendas of the message and the myths that surround it,” John Pilger in ‘Hidden Agendas’.
As the media landscape in the north-eastern part of India gets more blurry, I am reminded of Anna Politkovskaya, Gauri Lankesh, Binalakshmi Nepram few of them who have took upon the strong and mighty, the Chicken Neck corridor which link us with the rest of the country we become mere mortals to power brokers at Lutyens Delhi.
Spearheading the cause of women’s rights to being vocal on issues such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958, insurgency, environmental issues the editor of The Shillong Times was recently honoured with the Saahas Shrestha: Shero of Courage award which should inspire potential authors and media specialists from the region to enable a better journalism space brimming with ideas. Mrs. Mukhim’s writings, appearing in major outlets like The Scroll, The Wire, The Hindu, and The Assam Tribune, have countered bad reporting that has marred regional understanding and opinions, providing analysis and outspoken views the mainstream media sometimes overlooks.
The sparks of geopolitical embers are bright as ever with regime changes in Syria, Middle East crisis, Bangladesh’s governance problem or Myanmar’s junta, the lack of a think-tank to discuss and enlighten these core topics was a far-fetched dream, the editor a member of the National Security Advisory Board at one point of time stood shoulder to shoulder with former generals and policy makers to carve a blueprint for the nation’s security giving more latitude towards future engagements with this part of the world. Shillong played host to a brainstorming session on the Indo-Pacific Strategy, jointly organised by the US Consulate and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) last month.
The North East of India is gradually becoming a focal point for foreign powers; consequently, narratives change very quickly. Journalists like Mrs Mukhim could very well usher a new breed of ‘Fourth Estate’ digital warriors carving out a new template in this Brave New World.
Christopher Gatphoh,
Laitkor Rngi, Shillong-10
