Churachandpur, May 26: Four tribal student organisations have accused media outlets of selective reporting in the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur triggered on May 3. While declaring ban on Imphal valley-based media outlets, it has accused the same having become a “propaganda machine for the state government.”
The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Hmar Students’ Association (HSA), Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) in a joint statement pointed out “the countless instances of selective reporting (to the detriment of the tribals of Manipur).
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The four predominantly Kuki-Chin-Mizo-Zomi tribal student bodies said the student leaders are compelled to raise their “concerns regarding the actions of North East Live (NE-Live) in its reporting and broadcast of news.” The joint statement further said it has become apparent that the channel has been selectively omitting the voices and concerns of the [Kuki] tribals of Manipur.
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“Even more concerning is the fact that content that can be considered critical of the state government are being deliberately omitted. We appeal to the news outlet to stay true to the spirit of journalism and to sincerely represent the voices of all and asunder,” it added.
The student bodies further condemned in the strongest terms the “valley-based media outlets, whether printed or electronic and in particular, The Sangai Express and ISTV for violation of Media Ethics and their propensity for spreading Fake News and one-sided news and suppressing the voices of the tribals.”
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Owing to the “continual cases of biased news, the four student bodies declared a ban on all valley-based media outlets,” the joint statement said.
“We further appeal to the general public to co-operate in our ban on valley-based media and report all cases of their presence in our lands. Such a ban has become a necessity given that valley-based media, have become a propaganda machine for the state government,” it furthermore added.
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