Journalists and media professionals stressed the importance of ground reporting, verification and multiple perspectives in building credibility and ensuring accurate coverage of events in the Northeast at the inaugural Hill Myna Media Conclave 2026 held in Shillong
DIMAPUR — Journalists and media professionals stressed the importance of ground reporting, verification and multiple perspectives in building credibility and ensuring accurate coverage of events in the Northeast at the inaugural Hill Myna Media Conclave 2026 held in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Organised by Hill Myna Magazine on the theme “On-Ground Reporting in Northeast India”, the conclave was held at the Moreau Institute of Integral Training and Research Society on October 7. It brought together journalists, government officials, students and emerging media practitioners to discuss journalistic ethics, accuracy, context and the challenges of reporting from the field.
Chief guest Abhilash Baranwal, deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district, underscored the responsibility of the media to inform the public beyond popular perceptions.
“The responsibility of journalism is not simply to tell us what we want to hear, but to tell us what we need to know,” he said.
Soma Basu, senior deputy editor at The Hindu, said a commitment to authenticity was fundamental to journalism and could be strengthened through field reporting. Being present on the ground allows journalists to hear multiple voices and understand different perspectives, she said, adding that such reporting formed the basis of a story’s credibility.
Michaeljit Yumnam, a journalist with more than a decade of experience in news reporting and digital media, said ground reporting helped journalists establish what had happened and explain the reality to the public.
Imkong Walling, principal correspondent of The Morung Express in Dimapur, stressed the importance of physical presence in the field rather than relying solely on telephone conversations or third-party accounts.
He said journalists needed to understand the situation on the ground and cross-check the information circulating around an event. Field reporting also helps journalists gain experience, sharpen their skills and grow professionally, he added.
The programme featured an interactive audience session titled “The Room Speaks” and the Northeast Writers Award 2026, which recognised literary voices from the region.
Concluding the event, Lakshmi Kharkongor, director of media and editor of Hill Myna Magazine, said the publication’s impact was reflected in the continued engagement of readers and contributors with stories highlighting people and meaningful change.
The conclave marked Hill Myna Media’s initiative to foster conversations on journalism, storytelling and the representation of voices from Northeast India.