Time for Sikkim Journalists to stand united

- D.B.Rai ‘anoop'

F riday 4 th   July 2008- Sikkim Journalists call it Black Friday , the day some miscreants barged in Hamro Prajashakt office, a vernacular daily published from Tadong, Gangtok at 8.30 pm and assaulted the journalists with hammers and rods leaving them injured in pool of blood.

Press is called fourth estate in democracy. The country where there is not free press can't be called democratic country. So democracy flourished with the freedom of press.          Press has vital role in democracy. Because of the press people participate in decision making process of the country by writing their opinion. But some of the anti-democratic force cannot endure the healthy criticisms that are practiced normally in democratic set up and want to muzzle it. It is important in democracy that people have the fundamental right to know what is happening around them. A vigilant and free press, therefore, not only alerts the government but also checks the corruption of the country.

Sikkim a tiny Himalayan state of India now boasts of having eight newspapers of English and vernacular is still in the nascent position in journalism in comparison to other states. Though, within five years of short span this many numbers of dailies have been able to hit the stand in the State and it should be consider it is a silverlining for the journalism in the State. To some extent, therefore, it can't be said that Sikkim has not freedom of press and patronization of government to up lift it. On the occasion of Press Day Chief Minister Pawan Chamling had announced to form a commission to look into the condition of working journalists and of Media Development Fund for the betterment of media.

But because of the geographical, i.e, small area and less population and due to close proximity that makes people quick introduction of each other, perhaps of this the press people may not feel free to write and if they go to write there are possibility to be vindicated in one or other way. So such kind of culture is still prevalent in the state. But at the same time the new generation has come cutting across the traditional type of journalism as a result of it the future of journalism looks brighter as a career.

Recent attack on journalist on 4 th   July has also brought the journalists in one platform. They leaving behind their ego came together and joined the movement.5 th   July is historical day for Sikkimese journalists as the day all journalists of Gangtok rallied united to protest against the suppression of press. Earlier there was some misconception that Sikkimese journalists aren't conscious in their rights and always on the make for their interest. But this protest has proved they are not so; they also have the dignity and guts.

It is just as well that press club of Sikkim has planned to  stage play ”Andha Ko Ram Kahani” written by  Mr. C.K.Shrestha, a renowned playwright from Kalimpong to raise the fund for  journalists welfare fund. Mr. Josehp Lepcha, a journalist, in his speech on the occasion of Subh Muhurt of the play, said the issue of raising the fund was struck only after the 4 th   July attack on journalists. He is right. The condition of working journalists, if to speak, in the state are very deplorable and by the way if they fall sick they of course would be in economic trouble since their financial conditions are not sound.

As to their work they haven't any kind of security like health insurance, EPF, and job security. Anytime they may be fired and hired by the company. But, this is also fact, to date, not any complaint has been heard about the atrocity against any working journalists done by the company.

Hard time as a tough competition, however, is drawing near in the field of journalism of the State also. This is the age of consumerism. More than the establishment, consumers decide the market and fate of any company. So, it is certain newspapers which can't keep pace with changing world will lag behind in market. Government alone can't bail them out. Therefore, a healthy competition as well as cooperation of each other has become the mantra of this profession. What is more, to become professional journalists must they be well aware of their rights through being united and only this unity will give them power to fight against the odd things as such anti-democratic forces that had attacked on journalists on 4 th   July.

(The writer is a freelance journalist and can be reached at   dbrai2007@gmail.com )