Editor,
Patricia Mukhim has taken strong exception to the Chief Minister’s criticism of the media in “Who defines the role of the media, Mr CM?” While I do not agree with the CM’s tactics of trying to manipulate the media into becoming a propaganda machine for the Govt, I also disagree with some of the arguments put forth by Ms Mukhim in her piece. Arguments like “bad news sells; good news is no news! This is true across the world.” are not sufficient justification for sensationalism, simplification and exaggeration which abounds in the media. If anything, the malaise of modern journalism has been the total failure of the media to look inwards, respond objectively to criticism and course correct from time to time. The days of free and fair news reporting are over, if Ms Mukhim is to be believed. What we have instead are stories, rhetoric, sensory images and manipulated impressions that are meant to influence people’s perceptions and action or evoke fears and desires. Is this the sort of journalism Ms Mukhim prescribes for society? I would also point out that it is incredibly easy for the media to sound idealistic and demonize those who criticize. Too often we have seen how the media is quick to depict itself and its allies as saints and heroes while painting its critics as fools, villains or unbalanced characters in its attempt to win battles and manufacture sensational stories. Sadly for us, this has become the norm rather than the exception. It is also undeniably true that the media is now a part of the power structure and economic system that it is expected to report upon. As most of us are aware, a large number of media houses in the country are owned by businessmen and politicians. These include many newspapers and television channels from the north eastern region as well. It is too much to expect that all media houses are equally capable of keeping their owners’ interests safely locked away for the noble purpose of objective and unbiased reporting of news. More often than not, this equation gives rise to a conflict of interest for media companies, making it difficult at times for journalists to stand at a distance and report facts accurately. What society is subjected to quite often are planted stories and manipulation of facts in the guise of news. It does not help matters that there is a conspiracy of silence by the mainstream media which allows virtually no open discussion on the subject. To conclude, while we may condemn the Chief Minister for saying what he said, it is also equally true that the media must get its act together and not succumb to the temptation of yellow journalism simply because ‘bad news sells’. Thank you in advance for publishing this letter.
Yours etc.,
Jonathan Syiemiong,
Shillong -3
CI-Ops in Garo Hills
Editor,
The letter to the editor from Mr Christopher Gatphoh,” Other side of CI Ops (ST Mar 21, 2015) is well received by the police leadership. Mr Gatphoh has quoted from the experiences of famous counter insurgency experts such as Lieutenant Col David Kilcullen and Gen Stanley A McChrystal on winning the hearts and minds of the people to win over insurgency. We are grateful to Mr Gatphoh for this letter. The Police leadership (DGP) has time and again stressed the importance of winning public confidence to defeat militants in Garo Hills. We are fully aware that in spite of so much pressure from Sohan D Shira and his gang of dacoits, the common people in Garo Hills are not extending support to GNLA. Only few criminal elements on the lookout for for easy and immediate money are supporting the GNLA. People in Garo Hills are caught between the devil and the deep sea. They are sandwiched between militants and some unprofessional cops. A professional policeman will work extra hard to win public support, and not drive common people towards militants through unprofessional policing. I have sent copies of Mr Gatphoh’s letter to all the district superintendents of police to take note of its contents and to spend more time outside their vehicles and to show more interest in both the needs and grievances of the people. Mr Gatphoh has rightly emphasized the need to learn from mistakes than from achievements. We have always adopted this approach to identify the shortcomings in our counter insurgency operations and are trying to rectify them. Once again we thank Mr Gatphoh for his letter of concern.
Yours etc.,
Media Officer
Meghalaya Police
Civil Hospital
Editor,
On a recent visit to the Shillong Civil Hospital, being unable to locate the room I needed to visit I requested a sister on duty to give me the directions. She did not waste time on giving directions but accompanied me to the place I wanted to visit, which was on the next floor. On our way there I was most surprised to see the cleanliness of the corridors and commented to the sister. She mentioned that they try their best and as it turned out she was the one in charge of keeping the place clean. Our civil hospital has always been quite clean but what I saw that day took the cake as I had never seen such degree of cleanliness before. It was really great to see such a dedicated and sincere person at work. I congratulate the Superintendent of the Hospital and the sister in charge (Sister Anto, forgive me if I got the name wrong) and her team. It just shows what dedication to your work can do despite shortage of funds and staff. I sincerely wish our state leaders would take a leaf out of Sister Anto’s book and dedicate themselves to cleaning up this state of ours which is in desperate straits.
The only thing that put me off was seeing the VIP sign above some rooms ( reserved for VIPs) – thank heavens these VIPs will not be able to reserve rooms for themselves in that hospital up in the sky.
Yours etc.,
D.M.Pariat,
Via email
Clarification
Editor,
Apropos the letter to the editor Of Single Mothers by Felicia Pariat (St Mar 19,2015) I would like to point out that the Chief Minister’s Scheme for Social assistance is an offshoot of the National Social Assistance Scheme meant for infirms, widows and the differently- abled. However, in Meghalaya, single mothers have also been included recently. The reason I had brought this up in this Assembly is to know the process of identification of single mothers. For widows, a death certificate of the husband is required to be produced, for the differently- abled, a certificate from a doctor, for infirms the birth certificate is required. However, in the case of single mothers, identification and certification is not very clear. There are cases of single mothers who had approached me to avail this scheme who are as young as 17 and 18 years of age. How am I to know if such persons have been separated from their marriage, when a marriage certificate is not produced? Since the Compulsory Registration of Marriage has not been effective, it would be in the fitness of things that a proper identification procedure is in place. I am not against providing assistance to single mothers. However, the issue of divorce and separation is a different matter altogether.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Jemino Mawthoh,
MLA