Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav urges people to preserve Naga heritage and document their stories in their own voices
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DIMAPUR — Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav has called for greater ownership of Naga narratives, urging people to tell their own stories, preserve their cultural heritage and document their histories through their own voices.
Addressing the valedictory session of Phase I of the third Dr. PS Lorin Education & Media Conclave 2026–27 at Tetso College, Sovima Campus, Chümoukedima district, on Thursday, Yadav said the responsibility of documenting and communicating Nagaland’s stories must be shared by communities, educators, researchers, media practitioners and the younger generation.
Held under the theme “Who Tells Nagaland’s Story? Rooted in Heritage, Ready for the World,” the conclave brought together media professionals, educators and students to deliberate on narrative ownership, indigenous representation and the preservation of Naga stories and cultural heritage.
Highlighting the media’s responsibility in an age when information travels across the world within seconds, the Governor stressed that accuracy must take precedence over speed and evidence over sensationalism.
He urged media practitioners to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, integrity and accountability, particularly in a close-knit society like Nagaland.
Yadav also encouraged students to use platforms such as podcasts, research papers, documentaries and social media to express and preserve indigenous stories and values.
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Observing that stories documented today could become historical records for future generations, he urged young people to record their communities’ experiences responsibly.
He called for greater collaboration among educational institutions, communities, researchers, policymakers and media organisations. While colleges could promote local research and documentation of indigenous knowledge, he said media organisations could strengthen professional standards and provide greater space for local voices.
Responding to the central question of the conclave, Yadav said Nagaland’s stories belonged to everyone — elders who preserve memories and traditions, educators who help young minds understand them, researchers who document them, journalists who bring them into public discourse and young people who carry them into the future.
The Governor also paid tribute to the late Dr. PS Lorin for his vision and dedication to educational excellence in Nagaland, while commending Tetso College for its growth and contribution to society. He congratulated the college on organising the conclave and acknowledged the contributions of the organisers, panellists, media partners, resource persons and participants.
Panel calls for responsible and inclusive storytelling
Earlier, a panel discussion on the conclave’s theme, “Who Tells Nagaland’s Story?”, featured Al Ngullie, associate editor of Hornbill TV, and Samuel Beech, sub-editor of Nagaland Post.
According to Ngullie, journalists were not arbitrators or educators of society but merely messengers and recorders of events.
Responding to a question on whether media shaped public understanding or reflected a particular version of reality, he said journalists had no stories of their own to tell but were responsible for reporting what happened.
He maintained that journalistic accounts were considered legitimate, credible and verifiable, including in courts of law.
“Culture is not the philosophy of a society but the behaviour of the society,” he said, adding that it was reflected in aspects such as law and order, corruption, government accountability and the issues covered by the media.
Addressing whose voices received prominence in the media, Ngullie said front-page placement depended largely on editorial judgement and newsworthiness rather than readers’ preferences.
Describing the media's focus on negative developments, he remarked, “We are merchants of death. We are merchants of bad news. If the world was heaven, there would be no newspapers and television.”
He acknowledged that such editorial priorities often left little room for stories about villages, development and peaceful initiatives, while cautioning that editorial judgement was not always appropriate.
On journalistic responsibility, Beech stressed that ethical values must guide reporting.
He urged journalists to have the courage to speak against wrongdoing, even at the risk of being sidelined or facing abuse, and to focus on issues that could bring meaningful change to society.
He also cautioned against sensationalism, stating that there was no need for it when reporting the truth. He said fairness and objectivity were essential to maintaining journalistic integrity.
Discussing the future of storytelling in Nagaland, Beech described it as a dying art due to growing dependence on audio-visual media.
He stressed the need to preserve oral traditions, learn from older generations and encourage young people, particularly journalism students, to develop their writing and public-speaking skills.
Ngullie, meanwhile, warned that the decline of storytelling and the lack of proper documentation could fuel identity and tribal politics in the future.
He pointed to the absence of credible written records and properly archived newspaper reports, urging media organisations to digitise past publications and make them accessible.
The session was moderated by Toka V, Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Tetso College.
The panel discussion was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.