Taking in its Stride
July 8, 2025
  • Read Ecopy
  • Circulation
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Organiser
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • International
  • Opinion
  • Op Sindoor
  • More
    • Analysis
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Special Report
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • G20
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Vocal4Local
    • Web Stories
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
MAGAZINE
  • ‌
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • International
  • Opinion
  • Op Sindoor
  • More
    • Analysis
    • Sports
    • Defence
    • RSS in News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Special Report
    • Sci & Tech
    • Entertainment
    • G20
    • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
    • Vocal4Local
    • Web Stories
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Law
    • Health
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
Organiser
  • Home
  • Bharat
  • World
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Editorial
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Culture
  • Defence
  • International Edition
  • RSS in News
  • Magazine
  • Read Ecopy
Home Bharat Assam

Taking in its Stride

by Tonmoy Borkotoky
May 19, 2022, 12:45 pm IST
in Assam
Extensive media reports on diverting public transport buses for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent event by the Assam Government had triggered a huge controversy. But the State Government did not hold it against journalists

Extensive media reports on diverting public transport buses for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent event by the Assam Government had triggered a huge controversy. But the State Government did not hold it against journalists

FacebookTwitterWhatsAppTelegramEmail

Even in the face of stringent criticism by the media, the Assam Government has never mounted pressure on journalists to toe its line

One of the most debated issues in the realm of media that continues to elicit responses from within and outside media is Press freedom. Press freedom – a crucial indicator of democracy — is the freedom that journalists enjoy to report freely on matters of public interest.

A free Press can inform citizens of their leaders’ successes or failures, convey the people’s needs and desires to Government agencies, and provide a platform for the open exchange of information and ideas.

Assam has a rich history of journalism echoing the voice of the people. During British rule also, the Assamese Press fraternity fought the freedom struggle with pen and paper, to unite the society against the British. The rich legacy has been going strong.

When media freedom is restricted, these vital functions break down, leading to poor decision-making and harmful outcomes for leaders and citizens alike. As is generally asked elsewhere in the country, one may also ask if the Press in Assam is free or is it being subjected to pressure to toe a particular line or not to go against the Government? Interestingly, despite allegations and accusations by a motley group of people about media fearing to raise its voice against the Government, there have been absolutely no reports of incidents that can substantiate such claims. There has been no case of journalists being harassed and coerced by the State machinery or journalists arrested by police at the directive of the State so as to quell Press freedom. In my decade-and-a- half of journalism career, particularly after the BJP stormed to power dislodging the three-term Congress Government, no journalist has been arrested in Assam at the directive of the State.

To further amplify this statement, let’s take a simple example from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Assam on April 28 when he inaugurated seven state-of-the-art Cancer Centres besides laying the foundation stone for seven other centres besides addressing another mega rally in Karbi Anglong district.

The reports were published in all major newspapers of Assam and video clips of the reports telecast by news channels and portals as per their convenience. No attempts were made to take them off air or to pressure media houses to refrain from publishing the said news report. This is just one of the many examples one can highlight to justify and assert that the media in Assam is by and largely free and under little or no pressure from the Government.

Not only in the present scenario, freedom of Press has been a constant luxury availed by press fraternities in Assam. Criticising wrong policies of any Government is a major characteristic of Assamese mainstream media. This has helped society to a large extent to maintain a healthy democratic trend. Even the society now openly accepts the fact that the press fraternity of Assam is largely working as the voice of the people in absence of strong and united opposition in the State. The politically aware people of Assam continue to support the freedom of the Press in the State. Society largely believed that the Press works as their eyes and ears. So far it continues, freedom of Press will make the freedom we are availing better and healthier in the future.

Share5TweetSendShareSend
✮ Subscribe Organiser YouTube Channel. ✮
✮ Join Organiser's WhatsApp channel for Nationalist views beyond the news. ✮
Previous News

India is new hope for world amidst conflicts: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Next News

US special envoy meets Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in Dharamshala

Related News

PM Modi begins a Brazil state visit with a ceremonial welcome

Five Nation Tour: Modi begins historic Brazil state visit, first by Indian PM in 60 years; Gets 114-horse welcome

Representative image

Empowering the Next Generation: Setting stage for Assam State Youth Policy

Amarnath Yatra 2025: Over 70,000 pilgrims join Yatra, laud arrangements & Indian Army, declare “No fear, only faith”

Andhra Pradesh: Tirumala Temple body suspends AEO for attending Church prayers, violating religious conduct code

SFI goons siege Kerala university headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram on July 8

Bharat Mata Image Row: SFI mob siege of Kerala University HQ; Violent takeover mirrors Taliban 2021 Kabul capture

Illegal migrants enter Mizoram from Myanmar

Mizoram: As clashes between rival rebel groups escalate in Myanmar, over 4000 illegal migrants enter the state

Load More

Comments

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Organiser. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.

Latest News

PM Modi begins a Brazil state visit with a ceremonial welcome

Five Nation Tour: Modi begins historic Brazil state visit, first by Indian PM in 60 years; Gets 114-horse welcome

Representative image

Empowering the Next Generation: Setting stage for Assam State Youth Policy

Amarnath Yatra 2025: Over 70,000 pilgrims join Yatra, laud arrangements & Indian Army, declare “No fear, only faith”

Andhra Pradesh: Tirumala Temple body suspends AEO for attending Church prayers, violating religious conduct code

SFI goons siege Kerala university headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram on July 8

Bharat Mata Image Row: SFI mob siege of Kerala University HQ; Violent takeover mirrors Taliban 2021 Kabul capture

Illegal migrants enter Mizoram from Myanmar

Mizoram: As clashes between rival rebel groups escalate in Myanmar, over 4000 illegal migrants enter the state

PM Narendra Modi

From Cheetahs to Critical Minerals: PM Modi set for first Namibia visit by Indian PM in over three decades

Priyank Kharge & RSS: Egalitarian Ambedkar or Authoritarian Indira

Picture of Dalai Lama in front of Avalokiteshwar

A photographic tribute to His Holiness The Dalai Lama on his 90th Birthday

Brahmamgaari Gutta in Nalgonda town

Telangana: Ghat road to Durga Devi Temple in Nalgonda sparks objections from Islamists citing Waqf land encroachment

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Cookie Policy
  • Refund and Cancellation
  • Delivery and Shipping

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies

  • Home
  • Search Organiser
  • Bharat
    • Assam
    • Bihar
    • Chhattisgarh
    • Jharkhand
    • Maharashtra
    • View All States
  • World
    • Asia
    • Africa
    • North America
    • South America
    • Europe
    • Australia
    • Global Commons
  • Editorial
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Defence
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Business
  • RSS in News
  • Entertainment
  • More ..
    • Sci & Tech
    • Vocal4Local
    • Special Report
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Books
    • Interviews
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Law
    • Economy
    • Obituary
    • Podcast
  • Subscribe Magazine
  • Read Ecopy
  • Advertise
  • Circulation
  • Careers
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Policies & Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Refund and Cancellation
    • Terms of Use

© Bharat Prakashan (Delhi) Limited.
Tech-enabled by Ananthapuri Technologies