Media Through The Ages In North East
175+ Years of Media in Assam & Beyond
KAKALI DAS
Media Through The Ages In North East
INTRODUCTION
Strong communitarian spirit and relatively free from rigid social hierarchy such as caste system marked India’s North East.
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim are eight states, referred to as ‘eight sisters’ or ‘seven sisters and one brother’, located in the North East of the country and command special importance in India.
With its population of around 46 million, almost 3.76 per cent of the total population of the country and covering 262,179 sq. km., approximately eight per cent of the country’s total geographical area, the region’s literacy rate, except those in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, is higher than the national average of 74 percent, as per the 2011 Census of India.
If India is known for her ‘unity in diversity’, the world of India’s North East is defined by its diversity. It was estimated that there are more than 200 communities in this part of the country.
Almost in every society there would be a public space in the realm of people’s communication which would also provide the ordinary citizens a scope of participation in public communication shaping the ‘public life’. (1)1)This public space in ancient and medieval times had been the common spaces like after-food common recreation place or the common kitchen in ancient times and the coffee houses and restaurants in not so ancient times.
In the modern age, this public space has been constructed and reconstructed through various media of modernity; this public sphere emerges in a way in which ordinary citizens to a great extent can participate in political discussion and organise and struggle for social change, which is to an arguable extent, but no doubt, dependent on the modern media.
Print, as we know, is the first of modern media. During its initial days, newspapers were read together at one place for many listeners. Thus, ‘newspapers’ acted to redefine the traditional public space and a modern public sphere was being created even in the villages, courtyards, tea shops or other areas, such as baithak-khana of eminent people, stations, steamer-ghats etc. of the colonial India.
It is an undeniable fact that modern media and political fabrics such as democracy and the rise of nationalism are related. Whereas, this dynamic of the advent of print media and nationalism is well recorded for mainland India by and large, the scholarly world, for reasons, such as unavailability of data and remoteness have so far neglected the media history of the remote conflict ridden North East India.
Media, both print as well as electronic, in North East India have less well-documented history.
The essay seeks to offer a fundamental reading of the history of ‘Media’ through the ages in North East India. It is, however, by no means a complete compendium of the history of press in the region. It does offer only a rudimentary level of historical documentation and attempts to reflect the specificities of media in North East.
- PRINT MEDIA IN NORTHEAST
Newspapers played an important role in the construction of a civilised society. Therefore, it is considered as the fourth pillar of our Constitution. The history of the printing press in Northeast India, like elsewhere in the country, may be traced to the period of the advent of Christian missionaries. The print media in the region has made remarkable progress and has grown rapidly since the very beginning of printing and journalism in Northeast India about 160 + years ago.
The newspapers have a significant role in the social and political progress that delineated the entire region. The Christian missionaries are credited with introducing printing and publishing activities in Northeast India. William Carey and his missionary Press was instrumental in publishing the first books in Assamese, Khasi and Manipuri. These books were translations of the Bible or books on Christian doctrine or textbooks for schools.
In 1836, American Baptist missionaries Nathan Brown and Oliver Cutter started the first printing press in Sadiya in Upper Assam. They brought along with them a printing press, 100 reams of paper and other materials and established the press in ‘Sadiya’ where they published a book in the Assamese language using Roman script.
A year later Rev. Miles Bronson joined them. He brought another printing press along. In 1846, Brown with the help of Cutter started from Sivasagar to publish a monthly called Orunodoi, the first Assamese journal as well as the first periodical of the entire North Eastern region. The history of journalism in Northeast India dates back to Orunodoi.
1.1 ASSAM
The Assamese language press and journalism trail blazed the print media in the region. The Assamese press is greatly indebted to the American Baptist missionaries. In January 1846, Nathan Brown with his colleague, Oliver Cutter commenced from Sivasagar to publish the first Assamese monthly called Orunodoi (Sunrise) which survived for thirty-six years till 1882 under eight successive editors. (2)
Orunodoi played a pivotal role in promoting cultural, religious and linguistic aspirations of the Assamese people, inculcated scientific temper and nationalism and helped provide to the Assamese language a distinct identity. In Orunodoi, news was presented as items without any headlines, as was used to be done during those days. Birinchi Kumar Barua in his book “History of Assamese Literature” observes: “It was in the pages of the Orunodoi that we find the first florescence of modem Assamese literature”. (3)
The magazine granted a literary status and dignity to the spoken languages of the people both in prose and poetry, and broadly speaking, the language thus evolved continues to be the standard language of Assamese literature even today.
After Orunodoi, Sri Dattadeb Goswami, the Satradhikar of Auniati Satra of Majuli had setup a printing press at Majuli and started publishing Asam Bilasini in 1871. (4) The press was named as ‘Dharma Prakash Tantra’. He was inspired by the missionaries who established a printing press to propagate Christianity. (5) The paper ran successfully for 12 years and can be claimed to be the first Assamese daily established by an Assamese.
In 1882, Hemchandra Baruah, an eminent litterateur, published a weekly tabloid Assam News in both Assamese and English. It was being printed at the Assam Printing Press Corporation founded by Baruah-Phukan Brothers Pvt. Limited, owned by Manik Chandra Phukan and Anandaram Dhekial Phukan. This paper won accolades from a wide spectrum of scholars and it is evident from the fact that eminent Axomiya litterateur, Sahityarathi Lakshmi Nath Bezbaruah admitted that he had learned to write in Assamese by attending to the patterns of Assam News. But, it was short lived and the publication was stopped within three years in 1885.
Assam Bandhu, a monthly paper was published in January, 1885. (6) Gunabhiram Barua was the founder editor and publisher of the newspaper. Instead of publishing the transitory news of the external world, Assam Bandhu had proffered its readers the news of the heart of the contemporary educated Assamese. This magazine was termed as the ‘pioneer of monthly Assamese newspapers of Assam’ by Lakshmi Nath Bezbarua. Assam Bandhu had clearly stated its objective as “general entertainment and enlightenment” and affirmed that it was not a manifesto of any particular class or social segment. (7)
Mou was the monthly paper edited and established by Harnarayan Borah and Bolinarayan Borah, respectively, in December 1886. Mou is remembered for its contribution related to important socio-political issues like Women education, English education, Assamese-Bengali brotherhood and problems of tea labours. It practiced for the first time, a strong line of political journalism in Assam and also provided sharp criticisms of the activities of the government. Mou had a tragic death because of anti-Mou sentiments among the young Assamese intellectuals which suddenly erupted out of a positive mention of Mou by the then anti-congress newspaper The Englishman. (8)
Assam News perished in 1885. In 1894, Manik Chandra Baruah and Kali Ram Baruah together published another weekly, Assam. Kali Ram Baruah admitted Assam News to be his role model in several instances. The newspaper caught the attention of the general public and became popular for some time.
On January 5, 1895 Radhanath Changkakoty published English weekly newspaper, The Times of Assam from Dibrugarh. (9) This newspaper made scathing attack on the various policies of the British government and helped in unfurling Assamese nationalism. The Times of Assam continued its publication for more than five decades till September, 1947.
In 14th January, 1900, Padmanath Gohain Baruah, the first President of the Assam Sahitya Sabha, published a weekly named Assam Bonti, which was later rechristened as “Bonti”. (10) It continued its publication till 1944. In 1902, two English newspapers were published from Dibrugarh, The Eastern Herald and Citizen.
Padmanath Gohain Baruah started publishing another magazine – Usha in 1906, which continued till 1912. Usha had played the role of early-harbinger to ‘Assamese nationalism’. Many stalwarts like Hemchandra Goswami, Satyanath Bora, Sarat Chandra Goswami etc. regularly wrote in the magazine that heralded a new year in Assamese literature. (11) Another important milestone in this respect was December 1909, when Lakshmi Nath Bezbaruah started Banhi – a monthly periodical magazine- which he edited as well.
Sadiniya Sambad started functioning during the course of Assam Bonti’s operation. This paper was launched from Dibrugarh in 1918 and was edited by Chandra Kumar Agarwalla. It heralded a new beginning in the history of Assamese journalism in the sense that “it was a giant leap towards consolidation of Assamese sub-nationalism”. The weekly newspaper started its operation as a daily on 26th January, 1946. In 1927, Kirtinath Sharma published Xhadiniya Raaiz and in 1929, Nilamoni Phukan published daily Dainik Batori from Jorhat.
In 1935, Ambikagiri Raichoudhury published Deka Axom. The newspaper continued its publication till 1954. In 1989, the Deka Axom was republished as a trimonthly magazine by Skhitish Chandra Phukan, but it wasn’t much successful. In 1939 Benudhar Sharma published Tarun Axom from Dibrugarh.
Dainik Axomiya, the second Assamese daily was published on 26th January, 1946 by Debakanta Barua. As a matter of fact, the modern era of Assamese journalism began from 1946. This newspaper helped in the emergence of a band of professional journalists and were instrumental in ushering a new era of Assamese Journalism in this part of India.
After Independence, Assam witnessed numerous daily and weekly newspapers. Natun Axomiya (1949), Xaantidoot (1951, Tarini Das), Assam Bani (1955, Satish Chandra Kakati), Nilachal (1968, Homen Borgohain), Pratidin (1982, Faijul Haque), Mahajaati (Purnanarayan Singha) to name a few.
With the advent of desktop publishing and offset printing in the 1980s, Assamese newspaper and magazine publication scenario underwent a radical change. Soon arrived the satellite editions of newspapers and this altered the distribution scenario as well. Now the additions of one newspaper are printed simultaneously at several places, transportation of newspapers from Guwahati to other places was done away with.
The leading Assamese newspapers that are circulating until today are- Dainik Asam: Published on 4th August, 1965 and founded by Late Radha Govinda Baruah, it is a daily newspaper published from Guwahati and Tinsukia. Prafulla Govinda Baruah is the current editor of the daily. It also has an internet version, unveiled on 1st January 2012. The newspaper is published under The Assam Tribune Publishers. Its sister newspapers are The Assam Tribune and Assam Bani.
Dainik Janambhumi: Published on 1972 by Janambhumi Group of Publications, it is now published simultaneously in Jorhat, Guwahati, Tinsukia. Utpal Baruah is the editor now. Its sister newspaper is Saptahik Janambhumi.
Axomiya Pratidin: Published in 1995 by Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, the founder editor and Parag Kumar Das, the executive editor, this Assamese daily newspaper caters the entire Assam with four editions published from Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Dibrugarh, and North Lakhimpur. It is currently edited by Nitya Bora. Its sister newspaper is Sadin. May 17, 1996 was a black day in the history of journalism in Assam when Parag Kumar Das, the executive editor of Axomiya Pratidin was assassinated in broad daylight. Prior to that no editor of a newspaper got killed in Assam.
A few other Assamese dailies include: Asomiya Khobor (1993), Niyomiya Barta (4th March 2011), Dainik Gana Adhikar (1994), Amar Axom (21 April 1995), Janasadharan (2003), Dainik Agradoot, Ajir Dainik Batori (2004), besides a few defunct Assamese dailies such as Aji, Ajir Axom and Edinor Sangbad.
The English dailies circulating until today are- The Assam Tribune: It was initially published as a weekly newspaper from Dibrugarh on 4th August, 1939 by Radha Govinda Baruah (known as the “architect of modern Assam”) under the editorship of Lakshminath Phookan. It shifted its base to Guwahati in 1946. The paper is now published simultaneously from Guwahati and Dibrugarh as a daily.
At the time when Assam’s literacy rate was merely 10%, among which not even 1% was English educated, publishing and increasing the readership of an English newspaper like Assam Tribune was a feat in itself. However, with a readership of over 3 million today it has become a lucrative platform to advertise for businesses and individuals and a cardinal companion of all civil service’s aspirants across North East.
The Sentinel: An English daily newspaper launched in 1983, it is owned and published by Omega Printers & Publishers Pvt. Ltd., Guwahati. Shankar Rajkhewa is the current editor of the newspaper. It has four editions – Dibrugarh, Shillong and Itanagar. The Sentinel caters to the entire North Eastern Region of India. It carries strong and powerful editorial commentaries with flawless English, which is the core strength of this newspaper.
The Telegraph (1982, Kolkata) and The Times of India (1838, Mumbai) are the two national daily newspapers which have its editions in Northeast (Guwahati split) as well. However, until recently the Kolkata-based English daily, The Telegraph has shut its operations in Northeast and consequently laid off more than 35 staffs owing to the Covid-19 Pandemic. A few Bengali dailies include Dainik Jugasankha and Purbotter Prahari.
It must be mentioned that almost all newspapers have their online editions as well. The modernization of the newspaper business in Assam would not have been possible without the emergence of Omega Printers and Publishers Private Limited, who revolutionized the form and content of a newspaper with its launch of The Sentinel, an English daily in 1983.
1.2 MEGHALAYA
Kitbor W. Nongrum (1983) in Ki Kot Khubor Bad Ki Kot Khasi showcased the historical background of newspapers that has developed in the state of Meghalaya. The Khasi newspapers which were published from this part of the country had the similar criteria in the nation building. However, the newspaper that was brought out by the Missionaries was meant for disseminating the religious faith among the people of Meghalaya. Francis A. Khongwar (1998) had delineated about the Meghalaya press in his book, ‘The Essence of Journalism’. He has made a comprehensive study by compiling the different segment of historical aspect of press, press conference, writing tips and techniques, problems and issues of the press.
The first Khasi quarterly newspaper was established in December 1889, U Nongkit Khubor (The Messenger) under the editorship of William Williams. This quarterly was printed from the Star Press of Calcutta which was also the official organ of Welsh Presbyterian Missionary. The newspapers during that time laid more emphasis on the cultural orientation which preserves their own background against the new transition.
With the establishment of ‘Ri Khasi Press’ in Mawkhar in 1896 the growth of Khasi Journalism kicked off in the truest sense. The man behind the creation of the press was Babu Jeebon Roy Mairom, also known as the “Father of Modern Khasis”. The first Khasi book was printed from the press itself and till now ‘Ri Khasi Press’ is considered as one of the best Printing Presses of the region.
Journalism in Meghalaya started with Lielieh (Lighting), a daily newspaper edited by Erwin K. Syiem Sutnga. Lielieh was a Khasi newspaper, the origin of which can’t be traced back in the historical records. The first ever secular newspaper of the state was, however, U Khasi Mynta (The Khasi Today) by Hormurai Diengdoh (Editor) which hit the stands in March 1896.
This newspaper went in circulation for more than ten years giving due importance to Khasi religion, culture and literature. The newspaper offered the chance for public to share their opinions and thoughts on various social issues. In an act of steady and rapid proliferation of the local print media of Meghalaya, another newspaper, Ka Pateng Khristan (The Christian Generation) came into existence in the same year. This newspaper was being edited by Idonkha Lyngdoh Nonglait and carried reports on social events beside religious content.
As it is evident from the history of the print media of Meghalaya, newspapers with direct slant towards Christian Missionaries comprised of a large portion of the early newspapers of Meghalaya. U Nongialam Katholik (The Catholic Leader) started publication in 1902. This newspaper published photographs on related issues along with the text content which added additional interest to the readers.
More newspapers came along down the line including U Nongphira (The Sentinel), the second secular newspaper of Meghalaya in the year 1903, which was edited by Sib Charan Roy. The weekly had undertaken the cause of the farming community, especially, from the economic angle, while the public became more conscious about their roles in the society. In an act of repression, this newspaper was soon banned by the British administration, after the World War I in 1914 as it was found to have published ‘unpatriotic’ comments against the British government in India.
Its editor soon started a second newspaper in 1928 to continue with his mission of disseminating the truth. U Jaintia (The Jaintia), which started publication in 1904, treaded on the footsteps of U Nongphira. It gave wide coverage to the socio-cultural issues of the society. But it was, too, blacklisted and banned by the colonial rulers. Undeterred, U Sib Charan Roy came out with another publication U Nongpynim (Meaning saviour/giver of life) in 1928, which resumed till 1931.
Inspired by the National Movement in the 1940s, S. B. Chaudhary launched a tabloid sized English Weekly on 10th August 1945, on a treadle machine in Shillong. The tabloid was The Shillong Times, North-East India’s oldest English-language daily newspaper, which continues to serve the people of Meghalaya in a significant way until today. With the untimely death of its second editor, P. N. Chaudhuri on 1 April 1978, his youngest son, Manas Chaudhuri took over the management of the paper prior to his resignation in 2008.
The publication is currently headed by Patricia Mukhim “Padma Shri” as its editor since then. The Shillong Times switched over the paper to a modern computer typesetting and offset printing technique on 15 August 1991 to keep abreast with the latest in printing technology and the first issue in broadcast format came into being. Realising that the Garo Hills comprises virtually half of Meghalaya and that there was no vehicle of information to disseminate information of events taking place in those parts, The Shillong Times launched its Garo Hills edition giving the readers of Tura a morning newspaper for the first time on 9th November 1992.
After independence, there was an increase in the number of newspapers, among which many died and few still survived till date. When Meghalaya got its statehood in 1972, many political parties brought out their own newspapers which therefore change the trend of journalism. Few among them are U Peitngor (The Sentinel) (1972) and U Naphang.
Today few successful newspapers like U Nongsain Hima (1960), Mawphor Daily, U Rupang are still providing its readers the news and information without failing on their part. The English newspapers like The Sentinel, Meghalaya Guardian (1990), The Meghalaya Today are also some of the newspapers which contributed in the journalism in Meghalaya.
1.3 TRIPURA
The press in Tripura registered a slow growth of 20% due to the ongoing insurgency in the state. Tripura had witnessed several phases of geographical realignment over the century following changes in royal regimes. Till the merger of Tripura with the Indian Union in October 1949, newspapers were published from Coomilla, Dhaka and Kolkata with patronization of the then princely rulers of Tripura. The major events of Tripura’s Royal dynasty had been substantially covered by those newspapers. Samachar Darpan established in 1818 was published from Kolkata in undivided Bengal.
According to Late Ramaprasad Dutta, Tripura Jnan Prasaranai was the first newspaper published in 1860 from Bikrampur of undivided Tripura under the editorship of Kailash Chandra Sarkar. Since it dealt with literary activities, frequency of publication was monthly but it could not sustain for a long time. (12)
The second newspaper Pakshiyak Tripura was published in 1876 with merely three issues of publication. It was published during the reign of Maharaj Bir Chandra Manikya. In 1876, another newspaper Barshik was published with direct sponsorship of 16 years old Maharaj Radha Kishore Manikya. This newspaper is considered as the first literary newspaper of Tripura’s Royal family. (13)
In 1879, Late Lalit Kumar Chakraborty had published a 16-page newspaper, Tripura Bartabaha and the newspaper was printed from Coomilla. Tripura Bartabaha was the first newspaper of undivided Tripura that had introduced the concept of advertisement in newspaper and journalism in true sense. It had uninterrupted publication across 10 years.
In the year 1893, Ramkanai Dutta published a newspaper (32-page double demi white print) – Usha from Brahmanbaria. Perhaps, Usha was the first newspaper in bigger size in undivided Tripura. (14)
In 1901, Sashibhusan Dey published a monthly, Pratinidhi, from Coomilla under editorship of Rajani Nath Nandi. According to the opinion of late Rama Prasad Dutta, this particular newspaper was the first publication that had given coverage on agriculture industry and commerce on priority basis. The newspaper carried a tagline under the masthead which read ‘the largest circulation in Eastern Bengal’. Pratinidhi was later developed into a weekly.
Two literary newspapers, Dhumketu and Bangabhasha were published from Tripura in 1903. Both the newspapers were published and circulated under direct patronization from the Tripura Royal Family. Dhumketu continued its publication for two years.
On April 14, 1905, Pandit Chandraday Bhattacharjee had published Arun from Rajmala press in Agartala. Bhattacharjee himself edited the newspaper at the time. But unfortunately, it was closed only after two years of its publication. In 1907, Ramkanai Dutta published another fortnightly, Santan, to carry forward the zeal of Arun.
In 1911, a four-page weekly The Tripura Guide started publication under the editorship of Kadambini Gupta, who was followed by Nanigopal Chatterjee. This was printed from Coomilla Open Press. (15)
On January 16, 1926, Chunta Prakash was published from Chunta village in Sarail Pargana under Brahmanbaria sub-division of Tripura under the editorship of Apurba Chandra Bhattacharjee. Chunta Prakash was probably the first newspaper in the region which introduced the concept of deploying correspondents in every village. The correspondents weren’t paid in cash anyway.
They were given free newspapers in exchange of their services. Chunta Prakash stayed functional and was published for nearly two decades. The newspaper carried writings from legendary litterateurs including Premendra Mitra, Jibanananda Das, Buddhadeb Basu etc. and significant persons of Tripura like Prince Narendra Kishore Debbarman, Colonel Mahim Thakur. The Chunta Prakash office was gutted down in a devastating fire on February 22, 1940.
In 1942, Anil Chandra Bhattacharjee edited Tripura Bandhab, published from Rajmala press with aid from the then Minister Rana Bodh Jung Bahadur. It was the first journal for children, which was published from Tripura. In 1942, few other publications came into being.
Tripura published its first post-Independence newspaper on November 05, 1947. It was a six-page newspaper titled Abhyudaya and was being jointly edited by Hrishikesh Debbarma and Ajit Bandhu Debbarma. It was primarily an attempt to counter the left-minded movements of the Jana Shiksha Samiti that was very much active at the time in Tripura. It closed down after two years of publication because of financial crunch.
On 11th November, 1949, a bi-weekly called Janakalyan came into being. Shortly after its appearance, the publication became landmark in the history of Tripura journalism. However, the newspaper faced four litigations including charges of instigating communal discord. In 1954, the newspaper turned into a daily; it was also the first daily newspaper of Tripura serving the citizens of Tripura until today.
The publication of Manush Patrika started in 1952 and edited by Kamala Ranjan Talapatra. Manush used to be a weekly newspaper, then it became a bi-weekly and after few years, it started to be published as a daily newspaper. The newspaper is being published as a morning daily to the day. It is currently headed by his son Priyabarta Talapatra, who is the editor-in-chief now.
In 1960, the first English weekly newspaper Spark was published from Agartala. The newspaper was brought out by Late Apanshu Mohan Lodh, who is also considered as the father of English Journalism in Tripura. Spark was rechristened as Tripura Times in 1960. It is being currently owned, published and edited by Arindam Lodh.
There were a number of other publications from 1967 to 1971 like Amader Katha, Ganayug, Uditi, Dheu. A publication in Tripuri language – Yapri (meaning step) is still in existence. Bhabi Bharat appeared in 1968 was edited by Bhaskar Kumar Bhattacherjee; the publication is still in existence.
Bhupendra Dutta Bhowmik started editing Dainik Gana Abhijan from December 01, 1968. The newspaper was renamed on 1971 as Dainik Sambad. It had its class of readers who were disseminated with information, opinion and other forms of news, views, service on social, political and cultural life of Tripura. It has also reached to set a niche of fearless journalism in the state and train youths in the trade.
The editor had to face arrest during emergency for fearless journalism in 1975 to be more particular. The paper has now emerged as an effective mouthpiece of the state and claims to have the largest daily circulation in Tripura and considered among the better Bengali language newspapers of the North East.
Syandhan Patrika, one of the leading newspapers of these days has started its publication from 1970 as a mini-newspaper only. The paper later shifted to being a weekly newspaper and was further converted to a daily newspaper starting from 1980. The current editor of this newspaper is Subal Dey. The paper has often carried investigative reports. One of its campaigns contributed to the passage of the Right to Information Act of 2005.
On 31st July, 1970, Pramod Barta started publication under the editorship of Pramod Ranjan Choudhury. The publication of this newspaper is continuing to the day. Gana Sambad, a weekly newspaper appeared in 1970, which was edited by Gopal Roy. Later in 1977, the newspaper was converted into a daily and renamed as Dainik Gana Sambad.
It is owned, published, printed and edited by Gopal Chandra Roy, who is also an incumbent member in the Tripura state legislative assembly. Daily Desher Katha was founded in 1979 under the editorship of Gautam Das. Published and edited by Samir Paul (now), this is a Bengali daily newspaper published from Agartala.
Many newspapers have come into existence in the 21st century in Tripura and is still in continuation such as, Aajker Fariad (2005), Dainik Aarohan (2005), Prantar (2006), Tripura Bani (2007), Hachukni Kok (2009). A large number of dailies, weeklies and periodicals are being published in Tripura. The rate of proliferation continues to rise.
1.4 MIZORAM
Emergence of Print Media in Mizoram can be traced as early as the late 1890s. In those early years of Mizo journalism, however, the publications weren’t printed in printing machines since they weren’t available in the jurisdiction of present day Mizoram till that time. So, most of the literatures, publications or such had to be printed from outside the region.
When it came to local publications, they were handwritten or typed with a typewriter in most cases. Newspapers and magazines are all community-based mouthpieces and have targeted readers who read/speak Mizo dialect. Mizo newspapers/journals in good numbers started to appear in the state from early 1990s onwards.
Captain J. Shakespeare, the then Assistant Political Officer/Superintendent of the Lusai Hills published and edited the first ever Mizo dialect Journal Mizo Chanchin Laishuih in August, 1898. This journal was a handwritten cyclostyled newsletter. People from the local tribes were exposed to modern education and literature by then, courtesy to the Christian Missionaries.
The publication was soon wrapped up. In a short while, a new monthly journal Mizo Leh Vai Chanchin Lekhabu started publication, once again by Captain J. Shakespeare. The first publication came out in the month of November, 1902. It was printed at Dina Nath Press, Sylhet (present day Bangladesh). Mizo leh vai Chanchin Lekhabu was the first consistently publicized monthly Journal in the Mizo dialect.
Makthanga served as the first Mizo editor of the journal from 1911 to 1936. The 14 pages’ journal offered human interest stories, accounts of government activities, articles and prose by the first generation of literate Mizos. Its contributions to the people particularly among the Mizo intellectual circle were immense.
Kristian Tlangau, a monthly mouthpiece published by the Presbyterian Mission from Aizawl started in 1911. With a legacy of over a hundred years, Kristian Tlangau is still in publication as of today. It is, in fact, the biggest monthly magazine in the state of Mizoram as far as circulation figures are concerned.
The first printing press Loch Printing Press was also started in 1911. The inception of this Press set the foundation for a quantum leap in media and publication in Mizoram. The Press later underwent a change and was renamed as Synod Press. The Christian community or the Churches published a number of community magazines beside government publications and journals during this entire phase of Mizo media. Notable among them are Tlawmngaihna, Kohhran Beng etc.
Tlawmngaihna (1934) started publication as a monthly magazine with initiatives from the Baptist Mission of Lunglei. This magazine focused its energy on community services emphasizing on upholding positive Mizo traditions and culture such as ‘Tlawngaihna’ (meaning altruism) and other constructive qualities mainly through human interest stories.
Monthly journal, Kohhran Beng, published from the Baptist Church of Serkawn in 1947, once again, served as a mouthpiece of the Church and continues to be published to the day. Mizo mass media faced the initial hardships of inception and continuation till this phase following a large number of journals and magazines started publication. All of them made great contributions to the development and promotion of education, political awareness and other positive traits among Mizo readers.
1939 saw the publication of the first Mizo dialect weekly magazine, Tun Hapta Chanchin, (meaning ‘This week’s news’). The magazine started publication in the latter half of the year, in September to be more precise. Mizoram’s first daily newspaper, Ni tin Chanchinbu (Daily Newspaper), started publication under A.G. McCall, ICS, the then Superintendent of the Lusai Hills (1931-1943) in the same year.
After the huge potential of print media in rallying public opinion for or against any concept, being or community was firmly established, a local political party, ‘Mizo Union Pawl’, having realized the effectiveness of print media for creating and mobilizing public opinion, began the circulation of Mizo Chanchinbu (Mizo Newspaper/Journal) in September, 1946. The newspaper was co-edited by Thanhlira, Thangbuaia and Lalthlamuana. The trio developed Mizo Chanchinbu as the first political journal in Mizo dialect.
The circulation of these papers and their survival depended to a large extent on the readership. However, many of these newspapers didn’t survive for long and had rather short life span. The reason may be attributed to the fact that most pioneers who took up journalism in Mizoram performed their jobs on a part-time basis rather than as a full time profession. Hence, the initial mass media of Mizoram started more as a hobby than an industry. Under these circumstances, many newspapers of the state were not able to withstand the test of time and succumbed to financial crises and ‘lack of professionalism’.
Vanglaini, which started publication in 1978, happens to be the largest circulated daily newspaper in the State – owned, edited, and published by K. Sapdanga, in Mizo language. Lelte, an entertainment oriented magazine is the largest circulated weekly magazine. It is edited by C. Dinthanga. A human interest literature oriented magazine, Lengzem, edited by Vanneihtluanga was the largest circulated monthly magazine in its own right. The presence and well-organized functioning of Mizoram Journalists Association (MJA) may be attributed with the booming of print journalism in Mizoram.
As of today, more than 200 full time journalists are covering events and incidences taking place in Mizoram and outside the state. There are about 100 daily Mizo language newspapers published within the state. From the previous 40 or so number of government approved newspapers, regular circulation of newspapers has come down to 26 in Aizawl, 9 in Lunglei and 7 in Chhimtuipui districts only.
The principal dailies in Aizawl are – Mizo Aw, Romei, Mizo Arsi, Dingdi, Newslink, Thupuan, Vanglaini, Aizawl Post, Hneh tu, Highlander, Mizoram Post. Of these, Newslink, The Mizoram Post, Highlander are the three prominent English-language daily newspapers published in Mizoram. In 2007, the GOI’s Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) accredited The Mizoram Post as the most circulated newspaper in the state. Apart from the daily newspapers, a good number of weekly, periodicals and monthly magazines are being published and circulated in Mizoram as well.
1.5 MANIPUR
Print media started in Manipur with Meitei Chanu, which was edited by Hijam Irabat in 1920. The State has as many as 222 daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly and annual newspapers and journals as per the data available with the Office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI).
The major newspapers and magazines of Manipur include Masik Jagaran (1924), Dainik Manipur Patrika (1933), Lalit Manipuri Patrika (1933), Yakirol (1933), Shrigouranga (1934), Tarun Manipur (1938), Manipuri Shaitya Parishad Patrika, Meitei (1941) and Naharol (1941); Ngasi, Chhatra Jagat, Bhagyabati Masik, Bhagyabati Kala, The Prajatantra in 1946; Anouba Jug, Bhagyabatee, Praja, Khonjel, Meenjaidabee, Palem, Imarol, Eikhoigi Manipur and Sandhyagee Bhagyabatee Patrika all in 1947. Two major English newspapers, Imphal Free Press and The Sangai Express took the state by storm when it hit the news stand with a modern touch.
The State saw a rapid proliferation of print media henceforth with the advent of a number of other newspapers and journals along with the ones newly registered with the RNI as late as Youth Street News in 2015. Hills Hornbill Express, an English daily and The Latriat, an English weekly newspaper were published in 2014. Three newspapers were registered in 2012, according to the RNI data and seven in 2013. Most of the newspapers of Manipur were published from Imphal, the current state capital.
However, despite the fact that Hijam Irabat published Meitei Chanu in 1922 is regarded as the pioneer in this field, many researchers feel that its history as the pioneer publication in Manipur cannot be trusted as the first chapter of print media journalism in the state as it was not in printed form. Meitei Chanu was hand-stencilled and cyclostyled by Irabat himself. The publication survived only for few editions.
Hence, many award the real credit of pioneering print media journalism in Manipur to Thongjam Gokulchandra Singh who started publishing the daily newspaper Dainik Manipur Patrika on 23rd March, 1933. The historical print media policy in Manipur started with an order issued by the Manipur State Durbar granting acceptance to publication of Dainik Manipur Patrika on 6th July,1932 and was printed at the Churachand Printing Press. The paper rendered service to the people for five years continuously. The paper was a powerful organ in shaping the public opinion.
From the early 1920s till 1939, newspapers, large or small in size alike, were printed or typed with ink on newsprint. The newspapers produced were limited and the freedom of press was continuing its struggle. It was only after the World War I (1914-1918) that Manipuris got the proper facilities of using printing machines in Manipur. Prior to this the Manipuris used hand written and cyclostyled publications.
The first monthly newspaper published from Manipur was Yakairol, which was edited and published by Dr. Ningthoujam Lairen Singh. Lalit Manjaree Patrika, a monthly journal started its publication in 1933 with Atombapu Sharma as its editor. It was a mouthpiece of the then Congress party of India and supported the views of Nikhil Hindu Mahasabha. After reading Lalit Manjaree Patrika, it is known that Lalita Madhab Chatterjee edited a quarterly journal named Shrigouranga in 1934.
On the eve of the World War II, some newspapers and journals were brought out. Mention may be made of Manipur Matam (weekly), Manipur Paojel (weekly) and Manipur Mahila, also known as Meitei Chanu (monthly). The Naharol is another periodical which was published half yearly in the year 1941.
Ngasi, a fortnightly was another journal that began to hit the stands in 1946. Keisham Kunjabihari Singh edited the journal. A monthly journal, Chhatra Jagat, was also brought out in December, 1946. N Tombi Singh, the founder editor of Manipur Mail, was its editor. Bhagyabati Masik and Bhagyabati Kala were two other periodicals published monthly and were edited by Atombapu Sharma in 1946. The Prajatantra, a daily newspaper was brought out as a mouthpiece of the then Manipur State Congress in 1946. In the year 1947, around ten periodicals were brought out. They were – Anouba Jug (weekly), Bhagyabatee (weekly), Praja (weekly), Khonjel (fortnightly), Meengaidabee (quarterly), Palem (monthly), Imarol (monthly), Eikhoigi Manipur (daily) and Sandhyagee Bhagyabatee Patrika (daily).
The State of Manipur witnessed a sudden increase of newspapers and magazines after the attainment of full-fledged state in 1972. There was a big wave of journalism brewing in all parts of the State. The people of Manipur, particularly the ‘hoi polloi’ started to understand the importance of media in its development process. The press in Manipur still continues to be in a process of development.
There has been a sharp improvement in terms of reporting, writing, presentation, designing, etc. during the last 10 years. Today, there are more than 40 daily newspapers circulating in the state which caters to the reading needs of different sections of society. The technological advancement has brought a sea change in the Journalism of Manipur.
Poknapham, first issued on 1st February 1975, is the most-read Manipuri daily from Imphal, Manipur. In 1996, Imphal Free Press, an English-language daily got published in Manipur, alongside The Sangai Express. These two are the largest circulated newspapers in Manipur today.
1.6 NAGALAND
In Nagaland, newspapers were introduced in late 1960s. The first newspaper that can be traced back to Nagaland was in Angami language – Ketho Mu Kevi, which was a quarterly paper registered on 1957 and published from Imphal by Ms. Beilien of Kohima, Nagaland. This was being printed at Bina Printing Works of Poona Bazar Road, Imphal. However, the first English newspaper that can be traced back to Nagaland is Naga Chronicle which was published by Dulal Chandra Dutta from Kohima as a fortnightly in 1966.
The first known English newspaper by a Naga person was The Citizen’s Voice, introduced in 1967 by a group of educated young men who felt the need for a proper form of communication in the capital. This paper was initially introduced as a bi-weekly and later went on to become a weekly. The editor of this paper was Neituo Angami.
The first press was introduced in 1972 by Khymo Lotha, a board member who also later became the chairman and the Chief Editor. The Citizen’s Voice was the first newspaper of Nagaland to be printed in a printing press. The circulation of The Citizen’s Voice was, however, quite limited; only a few thousand copies were printed and it was circulated only in the capital, Kohima and the commercial hub of Dimapur.
The primary hindrance was that of communication; there was no telephone or other proper means of communication to reach out to the other districts. The very job of printing was a problem since everything had to be done manually. The Citizen’s Voice was, however, quite an achievement in the sense that it was a huge step forward in the history of media in Nagaland.
Coming to one of the most reputed and of course, the premiere English newspaper in the state, Nagaland Post – the newspaper was established in 1990 by Geoffry Yaden. It was introduced at a time when the state was in dire need of a proper channel of communication (considering the fact that the others had died down). This paper, too, had a rough start right from printing which were all manual and hence, a huge hindrance to distribution. Nagaland Post, as a paper started out of necessity; it was more for a social cause than any other reason.
Yet another achievement of the press in Nagaland was the formation of a newspaper organization with a woman as its editor. Monalisa Changkija started the Nagaland Page in 1999. This paper has also come a long way and still continues to be a platform for the voiceless.
The few existing papers from these decades in the English language are Nagaland Post (1990), Nagaland Page (1999), Eastern Mirror (2002), The Morung Express (2005), The Northeast Window (2005). And three regional language newspapers include: Tir Yim Yim (2004), Ao Milen, Capi (2006).
1.7 ARUNACHAL PRADESH
Arunachal Pradesh, which was earlier known as North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) attained separate statehood on February 20, 1987. Print media started in the state with the Echo of Arunachal, which was initiated in 1987 and registered with RNI in 1988. The newspaper was edited by Nanni Dai.
Subsequent newspapers included Arunachal Times in 1989, which had the then Chief Minister, Gegong Apang as one of the major share-holders and Shankha Group of Publications of Assam as the other. Echo of Arunachal graduated to become a daily newspaper after Pradeep Kumar took over as its manager-cum-reporter in December, 1994.
Arunachal Express started publication as the first English broadsheet newspaper of the State on June 06, 1990. The newspaper was edited by Vijay Kumar Nath (chief editor) and Taso Grayu, who was the editor-cum-publisher. Vijay Kumar had joined the affairs of the newspaper in August, 1989 and later became the editor of the same in December, 2003. The third major newspaper of Arunachal Pradesh – The Arunachal Front hit the stands on October 30, 1992. The newspaper used to be a weekly at that time.
The Arunachal News started publication on January 18, 1994 as an English bi-weekly. Habung Payeng was the editor of the newspaper at the time. Meanwhile, more newspapers like The Eastern Newsline came into being in1996, The Yomgo Calling in 1997, The Dawnlit Post in 1998, Arunachal Front in 2007, Eastern Horizon in 2001, as late as Arunachal Aung and The Arunachal Age came in 2014.
Guwahati-based English daily, The Sentinel, expanded operation to Arunachal Pradesh by floating a publication called The Sentinel Arunachal from October 01, 2009. An English magazine, Eastern Horizon started in the year 2000 and was soon followed by more weeklies, periodicals and magazines like, Eastern Citizen, Eastern Newsline and Arunachal Now. Weeklies like Yangbo Calling started publication in 1990, Miao Times started in 2007, Roing Times and Veracity in 2009.
According to the data available with the Office of the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI), Arunachal Pradesh has got 21 newspapers published in English language, one in the ‘Adi dialect’ and three newspapers are published in ‘Hindi’ so far. Most of the newspapers were published from Itanagar, according to the RNI statistics, which indicated the concentration of media consciousness and relatively better industry environment for the trade in the capital.
However, newspapers of Arunachal Pradesh were also published from the Dibang Valley, Naharlagun, Yupia, Lower Subansiri, West Siang etc. Among other newspapers and magazines registered with the RNI from Arunachal Pradesh, the important one include Arun Awaz, which was the first and only Hindi periodical published in 2004 from the state. However, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu on 20th November, 2019 launched the first Hindi daily of the state titled, Arun Bhoomi. Khandu termed the day as historic and a new chapter in the evolving history of media in the state.
1.8 SIKKIM
In the year 1956, the Information Service of India, Gangtok brought out a weekly newspaper titled Bulletin in English which was published in Nepali, titled as Adhikari Vigyapti by the office of the Political Officer and printed by the Govt. of India Press, Gangtok. The Bulletin carried news reports and articles highlighting all round progress made by India after independence. It gave importance to what was happening in India at that time.
To counter this, under the rule of King Tashi Namgyal, the Raj Darbar started the publication of Sikkim Herald in 1956. The objective was to promote the development work undertaken by the monarch in Sikkim and the target was the people of Sikkim. Sikkim Herald was a magazine and was published once in every few months. Prior to 1962, the Sikkim Herald magazine was brought out in English only and later sometime in 1962, saw the birth of its editions in Bhutia and Nepali languages as well.
The biggest introduction to the history of journalism in Sikkim came after the introduction of Kanchenjunga, the first Nepali monthly magazine which started its publication in 1957. Though Kashiraj Pradhan did the ground work for Kanchenjunga, its editor was Nahakul Pradhan. It was a journal in Nepali language but published from Dehradun. Kashiraj was the one to start the first news magazine which was privately owned and meant for the general public.
Thus, Kashiraj can be called as ‘the father of Journalism in Sikkim’. Before the birth of Kanchenjunga, a few other journals existed which were more feature-based and did not delve on political or socio-cultural aspects prevalent in the society. Hence, they failed to connect with the larger masses. Amulya-Ratna was one such journal. Published in 1948, it was not printed but hand-written.
APATAN Society had Pushpanjali and there was The Pole-Star published by Mahananda Poudyal in the year 1951.
Hence, was needed a medium to fill up the vacancy that existed and this led to the publication of a monthly Nepali magazine Kanchenjunga in 1957.
This magazine was started as a political magazine but later they also included literature, poetry, story etc. and it progressed in a good way forward, however, the main focus was always politics.
True journalism in Sikkim started with Kanchenjunga. Kanchenjunga continue for 15 years from 1957.
The newspapers circulated today in Sikkim are Hamro Prajashakti, Himalayan Mirror, Sikkim Express, Snowline, Voice of Sikkim. Sikkim Express, founded in 1976 is the oldest and largest circulated English daily newspaper in Sikkim.
The newspaper started as a weekly in 1976 and converted as a daily in 2003. It is the first English newspaper of Sikkim state.
- ELECTRONIC MEDIA IN NORTHEAST
At the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, communication moved from static written forms to dynamic electronic forms. The telegraph, telephone, record player, radio and movies all hit the communication spectrum and transformed how we communicate. Before the advent of writing, communication was primarily oral. Speakers spoke and hearers heard.
Moving to electronic media was actually a shift back to the oral communication that humanity started with. The pace and structure of communication shifted as well. Books are, of necessity, linear. They depend on a flow of thought and a logical process. Engaging in understanding books meant that human brains were re-wired to think in linear, logical patterns. But when communication shifted to a dynamic, emotional process that is a part of the oral communication culture, brains were re-wired again to process information from that perspective.
After Independence in 1947, among the available mass media, ‘Radio’ was the only channel that had the potentiality to be quickly developed into an effective national service. The Guwahati Station traces its origin to the Shillong-Guwahati Station of All India Radio. From the middle of April 1948 Programme Executive, Late U.L. Barua (later Director General of All India Radio) and staff artiste Late Purushottam Das of the Calcutta Station had started working in Shillong and Guwahati respectively.
The station was inaugurated on 1st of July 1948, by Gopinath Bordoloi in Shillong and Maulana Mohmad Tayabullah in Guwahati. In the beginning, the Station had two transmissions daily – the morning transmission was of one and the half hour duration from 7.00 am to 8.30 am and the evening one was from 5.00 pm to 9.15 pm for a duration of 4 hours 15 minutes. In 1953, the headquarter of the Shillong-Guwahati Station was shifted from Shillong to Guwahati.
From its inception as the Shillong-Guwahati station of All India Radio on the 1st July 1948, the Guwahati station of AIR is presently a full-fledged Regional Station with 3 channels of broadcast. The entire North-eastern states, now, have their respective Regional (primary), Local and Community Radio Stations. Assam has a total of ten AIR stations, with 5 Regional stations at Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Silchar, Tezpur and Kokrajhar. Arunachal Pradesh has 5 AIR Stations with Itanagar, Tawang, Tezu, and Passighat being Regional stations.
Manipur has one Regional AIR Station located at Palace Compound at Imphal and commissioned on 15th August 1963. Radio broadcasting in Nagaland started during the midst of political unrest in Nagaland, with a small makes shift setup consisting of a Secret Studio. The Kohima station of AIR was formally commissioned on 4th January 1963. AIR Kohima is a single channel station broadcasting programmes for 13 hours and 50 minutes daily.
Meghalaya today has 5 AIR Stations, with Shillong as the Primary station. Tripura has 3 AIR Stations with Agartala, the capital having one Regional Station commissioned on 26th January 1967. Mizoram has 3 AIR stations with Aijawl commissioned on 31st July 1966. Sikkim has one Regional Station at Gangtok commissioned on 1st October 1982 and the programmes are in Nepali, English, Sikkimese, Limbu and Lepcha. After four decades of monopoly in the field of mass communication in the region, in recent times it has faced stiff challenges from T.V and a multitude of electronic and print media.
For the electronic media, there has been a phenomenal increase in the number of television channels all over the country, and the Northeast has not lagged behind in this development. There emerged tons of local TV channels in the north-eastern states, and cable TV service providers have proliferated all over the region. As expected, the radio has taken a back seat in urban areas, but remains popular in the villages.
The history of Doordarshan Guwahati can be traced back to the year 1982. It was in this year that India hosted the 9th Asian Games and this event in New Delhi brought about a far-reaching change in the social and economic lives of people of Guwahati. Doordarshan Kendra Guwahati started its functioning with the launch of Evening Regional News Bulletin – BATORI (Assamese – বাতৰি) on March 24, 1985.
The North East Evening bulletin in English was launched on March 1, 1997. This bulletin is relayed by all the Kendra’s of North Eastern States including Sikkim. DD Meghalaya (1990), DD Mizoram (1992), DD Nagaland (1992), DD Tripura (1992), DD Arunachal Pradesh (1994) DD Manipur (1998), DD Sikkim (2003) are all TV channels owned and operated by Prasar Bharati under Doordarshan.
The NE TV or North East Television is the first private satellite channel of north-eastern India which covers and connects all the eight states of the region. It came into existence on March 16, 2004. A constituent of ‘Positive Television Private Limited’ based in Guwahati, it started its operations as a channel for North East India. Taking advantage of being an early starter it catered to different language groups. On a single platform it telecasted news in more than 15 regional languages. The initial success of North East Television led to new channels entering the television space of Assam. News Live and DY365 followed in 2008. In 2010, News Time Assam also launched its services as a satellite television channel. It was followed by another 24×7 news channel Frontier Television in 2011.
Media Plus, Shillong’s TV news channel has been brought by ME Production, owned by Marcus Lyngdoh and Elmer Raymond War. The Bengali News Channels of Tripura are DD Tripura, Headlines Tripura, Akash Tripura, Khabor Chobbis Ghanta, Sristi Tripura, Kok Tripura, Mrinalini News amongst others. Times of Manipur is the first Satellite based news channel at Imphal, Manipur.
The electronic media at the beginning of the twentieth century made the communication faster and ubiquitous, but it kept the content firmly in the control of the people who could afford to produce it. The power structures shifted slightly. There was no dissemination of power, just the accrual to different wealthy people. At the end of the twentieth century, with the invention of the internet, all of that began to change.
Assam has always been under represented in media. Local TV channels and newspapers could never reach the global Assamese diaspora. However, digital media outlets filled this gap. In today’s digital age, we are witnessing revolutionary steps in imparting news sharing with the public. While digital media has been around for some time, it is from 2017 onwards that we are witnessing phenomenal growth in digital media.
Thanks to the cheap data packages and fast internet services from the telecom companies, Assam, naturally, saw the rise of digital media. These are creating waves all through the media world now. Faster delivery of news and mobile media have helped its growth. According to an estimate, there are more than 100 pages on Facebook and other social media channels from Assam and other parts of Northeast positioned as media organisations and are disseminating information of all kinds.
Some of these outlets have created a web-based portal for publishing news contents. Few web-based news sites of such kind are – Eclectic North East, The North East Today, Guwahati Plus, Shillong News, Tripura Daily, People’s Chronicle (Manipur) etc. Mahabahu, a magazine which started in the year 1980 as a fortnightly, has been refurbished and designed into a website to be a part of the digital world to spread and connect with a larger audience across the globe. Launched in August, 2017 by Anjan Sarma, an eminent Writer, Chairman & Managing Trustee, Multi-Cultural Educational Development Trust and Director of Bhabani Offset Pvt Ltd, the website is a bi-lingual platform with many write-ups in English and Assamese.
The number of digital media channels of the entire region mushrooming on YouTube and Facebook are Sangbad 365, News Next One, Inside Northeast, Pratham Khabar and The News Mill, Sangbad Prahari, Focus Ne India and many others. In fact, almost all the newspapers and TV news channels have their online versions as well; people facing time constraints can subscribe to their news websites or social media pages and get hold of regular news on their phones, laptops, irrespective of time and place.
Having said that, there are still a lot to do for Assamese digital media outlets. To begin with, the user interface has to be much more visually appealing. Secondly, digital media outlets in Assam are too dependent on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter etc. While it is important for traffic growth and advertising revenues, these media outlets need to invest in developing Android, as well as iOS applications, along with, regular updates.
CONCLUSION
Until 1979, newspapers and magazines in Assam were largely focused on social themes, with the editor and the reporter treating journalism as an instrument of social change. The student agitation of the 1980s changed the face of journalism. Print and broadcast journalism had become more aggressive and focused on investigative reportage.
Today the impact of media is so powerful and all-pervading that we describe the contemporary era as “Media Age”. While television has a way of stealing the show because of its more powerful visual impact, it is the print media that has taken remarkable strides in just three decades even in the less accessible States of the Northeast.
This has been made possible by a swift acceptance of a sea change in printing technology. But apart from The Sentinel and The North East Times there is no pan daily newspaper in the North Eastern region of India. The Telegraph and The Times of India are national news dailies having regional editions.
Moreover, unable to come out with a pan North East India daily newspaper till date is a sign that people are yet to act ‘out of the box’ that different states are entangled with. This also indicates that there is not a common voice on various issues that is confronting the people of its region.
The Journalists of Northeast are beginning to make other kinds of compromises as well on the lines of their counterparts in the rest of the country. In short, we have arrived at an age when news is beginning to be sold owing to the TRP game. The epidemic seems to have spread rather fast from the metropolitan dailies and satellite channels.
Is it too much for the common mass to ask for neutral and unbiased news from the 4th pillar of our Constitution?
[Personal Note: I am greatly indebted to the most respected, Anjan Sarma for showing immense faith in me and helping me with all the relevant details on this topic.]
REFERENCES
1 Habermas, J. (1989). The Structural Transformation of Public Sphere: An Inquiry into a Category of Bourgeois Society. (T. Berger, Trans.) MA, USA: Cambridge MIT Press. P. 141.
3 Barua, B. K, (1964). History of Assamese Literature, Assam, India: Sahitya Akademi
4Saikia, (2007, March)
5Goswami, (2007, March); Saikia, (2007, March).
6Borua, P. C. (2007, March). Assamese and English Newspapers of Assam, In G. P. Sharma (Ed.), 150 Years of Journalism in Assam (pp. 01-30). Guwahati, Assam, India: Media Trust Assam. P. 6.
7Bhuyan, J. N. (2007, March). Assam Bandhu and the Contemporaneity of Assam, In G. P. Sharma, 150 Years of Journalism in Assam (M. C. Deka, Trans., Pp. 86-109. Guwahati, Assam, India: Media Trust Assam. P-86.
8Saikia, R. (2007, March). Mou by Balinarayan Borah: An Evaluation, In G. P. Sharma, 150 Years of Journalism in Assam (K. D. Baruah, Trans., pp. 110-133). Guwahati, Assam, India: Media Trust Assam.
9Barkataki, M. (2007, March).The Times of Assam and Radhanath Changkakati, In G. P. Sharma, 150 Years of Journalism in Assam (M. Barkakati, Trans., pp. 134-140). Guwahati, Assam, India: Media Trust Assam.
10 11Borkataki, U. (2007, March). Contribution of Padmanath Gohain Borooah’s Usha and Bijuli to Assamese Journalism, In G. P. Sharma, 150 Years of Journalism in Assam. Guwahati, Assam, India: Media Trust Assam. pp. 141-152.
12Interview of Sen, R. (2007, January 27). (Charvak, Interviewer).
13Banik, G. (1997). Journalism in Tripura. Calcutta, West Bengal, India: Public Relations Society of India (Eastern Region). Also Interview of Sen, R. (2007, March 21). (Charvak, Interviewer).
14Banik, G. (1997). Journalism in Tripura. Calcutta, West Bengal, India: Public Relations Society of India (Eastern Region).
15Ibid.
16Bhattacharyya, G. (2007, March). Role of Newspapers in Assam in the pre and post-Independence Period. In G. P. Sharma, 150 Years of Journalism in Assam (P. Saikia, Trans.), Guwahati, Assam, India: Media Trust Assam. pp. 458-491.
17Registrar of Newspapers for India, 2020: RNI
18MEDIA/1443167159_Irene_Lalruatkimi_3
22www.asthabharati.org/Dia_July%20010/dhi.htm
23All India Radio (AIR), Guwahati
26Khasi Journalism through the Ages
27Mahabahu
[This article is published in the Mahabahu‘s historical book 175 Years of media in Assam & Beyond; writer Kakali Das is the Assistant Editor, Mahabahu]
Mahabahu.com is an Online Magazine with collection of premium Assamese and English articles and posts with cultural base and modern thinking. You can send your articles to editor@mahabahu.com / editor@mahabahoo.com ( For Assamese article, Unicode font is necessary)
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