When News Media Ceases to Be People’s Voice
A Journalist Declines Award from a Media House over Manipur Coverage
Newsreel Asia Insight #55
Nov. 26, 2023
In a world where news is omnipresent, the integrity and purpose of media have never been more critical. However, the recent decision by Jacinta Kerketta, a poet and journalist, to decline an award from a major media house, speaks volumes about the current state of news media.
On Nov. 21, Kerketta, known for her powerful writings on the injustices faced by Adivasi communities, was selected for the “Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagriti Udyman Pratibha Samman” by the India Today Group. This recognition, which came with a prize of 50,000 rupees, was meant to honor her poetry collection. However, Kerketta’s response was unexpected yet profound. She declined the award.
Her reason? A deep-seated concern that the media, which should be the voice of the people, is increasingly turning a deaf ear to their struggles. In her communication with EastMojo, Kerketta expressed a lack of enthusiasm for the award. “I am not feeling any thrill or happiness from the news of this honour. Because respect for life is missing from the lives of many people,” she was quoted as saying. Her words remind the media of its responsibility towards its audience, especially the marginalised and voiceless.
In her communication, Kerketta focused on the plight of the tribals in Manipur, where violence has claimed more than 200 lives, mostly tribals, since May 3. The conflict in Manipur is primarily between the valley-dwelling Meiteis and the hill-residing Kuki-Zo tribes, centred on identity and land rights.
The Editors Guild of India recently discovered that local media in Manipur had engaged in “one-sided” reporting, frequently skewing the facts. The report also revealed that when a Meitei individual was killed during an attack on a Kuki-Zo village, certain outlets were describing it as an assault by “Kuki militants.” But it’s not just about the local media.
Kerketta observed that while these communities were losing respect for their lives, mainstream media remained indifferent. This indifference is a betrayal of journalism’s fundamental duty to bring to light the struggles and injustices faced by society’s less privileged sections.
The India Today Group, to their credit, acknowledged Kerketta’s stance, respecting her commitment to grassroots struggles. They agreed that every sensitive human being and civilized society should feel the same way about the injustices Kerketta highlighted.
Kerketta, a member of the Oraon Adivasi community in Jharkhand, has been a vocal advocate for the rights and recognition of Adivasi communities through her writings. Her poetry collections, “Angor” (2016) and “Jadon ki Zamin” (2018), describe the struggles faced by these communities. Her work, translated into languages like German, Italian and French, transcends geographical and linguistic barriers, bringing global attention to local issues.
The India Today Group’s acknowledgment, however, raises an important question: Is it enough for media houses to merely recognise these issues, or is there a greater need for active engagement?
The crux of the matter lies in the role of media in a democracy. When a news outlet chooses to align itself with political or corporate interests, it risks losing its most valuable asset – the trust and respect of its readers. The media’s primary allegiance should be to the truth and to the people whose stories need to be told, not to the powerful few who often seek to control the narrative.
When journalists like Kerketta feel compelled to decline an award from a major media house, it is a clear indication that something is fundamentally amiss. The media must return to its roots, focusing on stories that matter, giving voice to the voiceless and holding the powerful accountable. Only then can it regain its position as a trusted and respected pillar of democracy.
