‘Reliable information is the heartbeat of journalism’

National Press Day observed in Dimapur

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 16: “What is our ethical and professional framework at a time in Nagaland state where truth is suppressed, mercy has been blinded, justice has been kidnapped and peace remains elusive?” This was the question posed to journalists of Nagaland by the editor of The Morung Express, Akum Longchari on Wednesday.
Speaking on the theme “Professional ethics in journalism” during the National Press Day celebration here at Elim Hall, DABA, he said: “A professional and ethical framework requires shared responsibility. Journalists should do no harm and be aware of the consequences of our actions. We need to be aware that our words and images impact the lives of others. Very often we do not live with the consequences of our reports, but people do.”
This, he said, serves as a reminder to the journalists to avoid presenting misleading information and sensational projection of events, since they can provoke reactive public opinion. According to him, reliable information was the heartbeat of journalism.
“This means that journalists need to respect, protect and uphold the trust that is placed upon us when people, sources, trust us by sharing and providing information,” Longchari said. He reminded that the cardinal principle of journalism was getting the facts right and the touchstone of journalism, truth. “Journalists need to strive for accuracy, give all the relevant facts and ensure that they have been checked and cross-checked.”
On the notion of professionalism, he presented the “contest” between organizational professionalism as advocated by the owners/management of media houses and occupational professionalism as understood by the journalists.
“Simply put, the employer and the employee, the media house and the journalist have different ideas and expectations about what professionalism means. For the employer, being professional may mean complying with regulations, accepting standardized work practices, reaching performance targets, and so on.
“Professionalism, as understood by the journalist, may, in some cases, be in outright opposition to professionalism as defined by the media house. Journalists focus on responsible autonomy, compliance with a code of ethics decided by professional groups rather than the media organization,” Longchari pointed out.
Asserting the journalists need to ask themselves whether this describes the media environment here in Nagaland, he underscored that it was an issue requiring immediate attention and the collective will to engage in a dialogue so that journalism in Nagaland could become vibrant.
In a forthright observation he said that the growing commercialization of journalism needs to be addressed as it was silencing independent voices of journalists, as they give in to the pressure of special interests whether political or corporate.
“Consequently, as part of the process which includes accountability, of self-understanding, self-awareness and self-definition, journalists need to declare any political affiliations, financial arrangements or other information that might constitute a conflict of interest.”
It was by upholding the occupational professionalism that the journalist could hold accountable, and even challenge the ethos of the organisational professionalism and to ensure that journalism was not consumed by commercial interests, Longchari said.
The media in Nagaland, he reminded, “exists in challenging conditions where the government has no opposition, corruption is rampant, widespread and systemic and is supported by culture of impunity and a silent majority.”
Within this context, the media usually exists within top down system which only increases the gap between workers and employers as the two groups have different understandings of professionalism that often results in misunderstandings, he pointed out. “Dialogue between and among the groups becomes even more essential here to clarify their expectations and make space for understanding and improving working relationships.”
Three other editors – Monalisa Changkija of Nagaland Page, K Temjen of Tir Yimyim and K Wapong Longkumer of Eastern Mirror – also spoke on the occasion.
The director of Information and Public Relations, Limawati Ao spoke on the relationship between the department and the local press. This was the first time that the National Press Day was jointly observed among all the three press clubs of Nagaland – Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung – and the Directorate of Information and Public Relations personnel.