Saturday, February 22, 2025
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Banning a newspaper not in keepingwith modern outlook

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By Albert Thyrniang

The press is independent. The press is free. These two related principles of the press/media are an extension of the broader principle of the right to freedom of speech and expression. It is part of the United Nations’1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In India, Article19(1) (a) of the Constitution guarantees all citizens the right to freedom of speech and expression. Unless specified by law, free expression of one’s own convictions and opinions through speech, writing, printing, images or any other mode is an ensured right. Any control, interference or restriction from the authorities or groups or individuals that affects the content and circulation of newspapers or other media is anti-freedom of the press.

Now, it is learnt that since 2018 Shillong Times has been ‘banned’ in West Khasi Hills by KSU and other groups because these groups were unhappy with the reports on the Them Metor incidents. This action is seen as suppressing the freedom of the press. This is certainly an act of intolerance.

Before proceeding further let me share my own tryst with tolerance and intolerance. While in Garo Hills this writer did a few articles on militancy in which he condemned killings, kidnaps, ambushes and the harassments of ordinary citizens by militants. Some of those write-ups had harsh words of condemnation against acts of terror. The denouncement of the Chokpot horror in 2014 in which a mother of four was murdered in cold blood is an example. Friends and family members feared for my safety because of my ‘unnecessary involvement’. All the while I was in the very ‘den’ of the then dreaded rebels. But readers may be surprised that there was absolutely no threat, no intimidation, no warning from any of militant groups. I also believe that the militants never threatened to ban this paper for publishing those critical articles. To say that the gun yielding men did not read English newspapers is not true. They did read. Plus they had their intelligence to keep track of what was being written in the press. Therefore, there is no other way but to say that they respected freedom of the press and were tolerant to hostile opinions.

Surprisingly, the show of intolerance came from other quarters. After my reaction to the first procession of the RSS in Shillong in 2016 a person claiming to be a functionary of that organisation sent a legal notice via Facebook/Messenger (Are legal notices ever sent via Messenger?). The gentleman knew he had no case. Clearly it was an intimidating tactic. Another disappointing instance was after a critical observation on a Church organisation on New Year’s day of 2015. A meeting was almost immediately conveyed and a resolution passed to ask for explanation from the concerned. More recently my article on Adelbert Nongrum’s antics in the Legislative Assembly upset a person so much that in his response in a Khasi daily he used filthy language and resorted to personal attacks.

The inference is evident. Were the militant outfits more tolerant that the ‘biggest social organisation’ in the country? Was that church organisation less tolerant than the militant organisations operating in the same region? Do the KSU and other organisations value freedom of the press less than those militants? It is troublesome that these questions are even asked.

One of the crucial aspects of education is critical thinking. Critical thinking leads to creative and innovative thinking. So critical thinking is the mother of creativity, innovation and problem solving. Critical thinking goes hand in hand with scientific temper. We have had many instances of lynching in the state over suspicion of being witchcraft practitioners or ‘Nongaithlen’ and ‘Menshohnoh’ because of lack of scientific temper. People don’t ask the simple question, “What if the person or persons is/are not ‘Nongaithlen’ or ‘Menshohnoh’?” “What if the persons are innocent?” Mobs don’t reason, “Let us wait to establish the truth before any action”. This unthinking mentality is responsible for unnecessary loss of innocent lives. People take law into their own hands for something they have no proof at all.

Scientific temper combats superstition. By now we are convinced that beating of drums and gongs, lighting of lamps and candles, chanting of ‘Go corona go’ do not dispel coronavirus. We have seen people attributing the COVID-19 pandemic to God due to unscientific outlook. If people contract the virus by attending a marriage party in a red zone, that is not God’s punishment. If patients test positive because the COVID designated national medical institute does care to follow protocols, that is not God’s curse. If people don’t wear masks in market places, keep no physical distance while in line at banks, God is not responsible. If the government wants to please church leaders by sanctioning reopening (later back- tracked) of places of worship, don’t blame God. If we humans knowingly disregard the law of cause and effect and ignore common sense, God is not at fault.

It is presumed that members of the KSU were once students. And being a student body representing the student community it is assumed the union appreciates critical thinking. It is taken for granted the organisation is a champion of creative and innovative thinking and stands for scientific attitude. But how is banning a newspaper compatible with promoting the above values? Is banning a newspaper not a suppression of critical thinking and freedom of the press (expression)? Is this not undemocratic? Is this not illegal? Is this not against national and even international laws? Is it not regressive?

West Khasi Hills has a college and a number of Higher Secondary institutions. While on the topic of “Freedom of Speech and Expression (the press)” would not teachers give the example in class that in the district that freedom is curbed because a daily is banned? Would not alert students draw the attention of political science teachers that freedom of the press is restricted in their district because a respected newspaper is barred from circulating by the very organisation that represent them?

A fake letter was allegedly circulating in social media demanding a ban of AASU, KSU, GSU and other groups. The criminal/smaliciously forged the signature of the editor of this daily, for which an FIR has been filed. None agrees with the demand to proscribe the above organisations. NGO leaders in the state often make vocal criticism and charges against the government and other groups they oppose but no one has sought their ban.In the same breath no citizen wants to see a media house banned in any part of the state.

The reason given for the ban of Shillong Times in West Khasi Hills is unjustified. According to reliable sources the paper based its reports on Sweeper Colony incidents on the statements of the CM, an SP and some Rangbah Shnong that most of the stone throwers were youths from West Khasi Hills at the behest of NGOs. Allegations were also rife that the youth were paid cash for their ‘night stone pelting duties’. If the NGOs were aggrieved the natural response should have been to issue rejoinders presenting their side of the story. Moreover, the NGOs should have challenged the CM, the SP and the Rangbah Shong for their statements. The fact that the allegation makers were let off the hook lends credibility to the allegation.Banning a newspaper on the basis of alleged biased reporting is flexing of muscle power. In a civilised world might is not right.

Now reportedly a section of the public wishes to see the ban lifted but the NGOs insist that the editor be dropped from her post. A demand of this nature is contrary to the principles of independence of the press and cannot condoned.

NGOs and associations have their rightful place in the society but they cannot overstep their boundaries. They are not elected to decide for the people. Even elected governments and representatives have their limits. The media cannot be banned for criticism against a government. If so we would have no media outlet by now. Citizens always resist government’s attempts to control the media.

The interior areas of West Khasi Hills have long been neglected and under-developed. In 2003 this writer had to walk for 8 hours from Shallang to reach Riangmaw, Langmar and the adjoining villages as there was no road. Langpih, the epicentre of many a border clash, has no pucca road. The road to Maweit, a more known centre, remains one of the worst in the state for ages. NGO leadership should demand for more coverage of these ignored areas from newspapers rather than banning them. In the best interests of the district and its people hope the ban is lifted sooner than later. Let the media perform its duties freely and independently.

(The writer can be reached at thalbert@rediffmail.com)

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