Comment on the coverage of local newspapers
Headlines must not be misleading, sensationalized and self motivated, Editors of local dailies must edit press statements and public speeches before finally print otherwise they will remain no different from dirty politician.
Now and again the local dailies, may be due to shortage of time or because of many reasons or even due to self vested motive put headlines which are not only misleading and sensationalized, but it also gives the very flavor of self vested political motive and ill will. Some time ago, a local Nepali daily carried a press statement of a regional political party accusing a VVIP for his foreign tour as to deposit money amassing out of alleged corrupted practice and the local daily on the basis of press release gave the headlines in ditto or without considering it to verify the truth. Presently, the political party and the newspaper are facing defamation charge in the court which is the consequence of all such report.
The local newspapers must be trained and be well informed before publishing such highly objectionable defamatory remarks and they must have sufficient evidence to do so to prove in the court of law if situation warrants. The Press release alone cannot be the sufficient evidence and prove to have defense in the court of law. A tale bearer is as bad as a tale maker or if the press statement is wrong, the newspaper which carries the story also will be considered wrong. How? If one is aiding a criminal, hatching conspiracy against lawfully made government, even if he or she is not directly involved, he or she is considered to have committed crime in the eyes of law as an accomplice. Thus the abetment in such act makes him or her punishable under the purview of law. Most of the journalists fail to realize the true essence of freedom of press. They think that they are entitled to bring truth or expose any corrupted persons in public by any means, but they also must think unless and until they do not possess sufficient materials, they cannot assassinate the character of any person. It may sell their newspapers today, but the trust and credibility which they have till now will loss enormously in the days to come. The politicians in democratic form of government have been given freedom of speech, but when they speak in public, they also must maintain the morality and decency and must not misuse the right of freedom of speech. Likewise, if the politicians speak in such a vulgar language in public, the damage they have to suffer in the days to come. Similarly, newspaper also must maintain the journalistic ethic and maintain public morality and decency. If politician bark like a mad dog in public, a journalist also must not act and report on such manner which amounts to defamatory remarks. If we consider about the difference of speech and writing, perhaps, we can find a vast difference in style and language. Therefore, writing is always considered a noble work than speech. Everybody cannot give speech and everybody cannot write.
In the recent reporting of a meeting of an opposition party, a popular English daily newspaper NOW has decently reported the news giving headlines “demands president’s rule, protests monopolistic tendencies” but one controversial Nepali daily linked with a national political party has given the headlines which is highly objectionable in the same story. Monopolistic tendencies found in politicians and leaders of modern India are not a rare case, but giving it headline from the mouth of some politicians is really an act of offence. If we sensationalize our news papers on the basis of the speech of the leaders in ditto, we are not editor, journalist, we are doing politics in the disguise of a journalist, we are helping the political wind to swing in our vested interest. One cannot misuse the freedom of press this way. It is better to openly fight as a reliable, trustworthy leader of any political party in the battle field like a brave person than to play politics in disguise as a journalist. A politician can better write for their party bulletin or mouth piece than to mislead the people in disguise as a journalist.
The local journalists must realize this fact before it will be too late or sooner or later a situation will come when the people will doubt the modus operandi and very credibility of the journalists in the State. Again, the conscious citizens and independent society must not be confused with the role of real journalism because of some black sheep working behind the curtain in disguise. The recent attack of some of the newspaper offices in Tamilnadu is also the result which is directly or indirectly linked with the involvement of political party. The bias, unfair reporting swinging and tilting towards a political party can unequivocally damage the very foundation and ethics of newspaper establishment. Newspaper establishment and journalist therefore must act in a very independent, impartial and balanced manner. The real journalists’ organizations of the country therefore remain silent to comment about the incident and did not contempt it specifically. Same thing can happen in Sikkim if some section of journalists who are much closed to political parties or even the members of political party and act in such an irresponsible manner must be prepared to face such eventuality created by them and they must not drag other journalists for their misdeed. The people of Sikkim now must have insight and conscience to distinguish between right and wrong, between real journalism and political journalism.
(The author is the legal advisor of Press Club of Sikkim, former member of Central Press Accreditation committee, PIB, Government of India, registered as the member of Bar Council of Kolkata to practice law)
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Comment: Archive
n the issue of September 13, the local newspapers have given the coverage of political and social events and incidents. The further arrest of lottery rigging, abduction at Ravangla, murder of a person following love affairs within the family circle in North Sikkim and accusations and counter accusations of the opposition parties have been published in daily NOW, Hamro Prajasakti , Samaya Dainik and others.
However, the focus of the local news is on the recent hike of taxi fare. Majority of the passengers who are office goers and others are being charged of Rs. 15/- per head while it should have been Rs.11/- as per the prescribed rate of motor vehicle. NOW has even commented on the issue in its editorial column. The protest has not been lodged in the street but majority of the passengers are commenting this as not justified rate. At this juncture, All Sikkim Youth Association has demanded for more City runners obviously to those persons who cannot afford the money on daily basis. While Government has issued taxi numbers more and more and various banking institution operating in the state gave finance easily to purchase vehicle, it is ridiculous that more than 75 percents drivers are not from Sikkim. Therefore, the very purpose of the government has not been served because of not properly investigating the persons to whom the taxi numbers have been issued. If the purpose of defeats, the government needs to recertify the process.
Hamro Prajasakti has written an editorial on International Nepali cultural Sammelan. The editorial has asked the modus operandi of holding such conference supporting King Gyanendra and Hindu Kingdom. The editorial has sharply criticised Singhal, the President of Biswa Hindu Parishad who openly supported Hindu Kingdom against the will of the majority people of India who are championing the cause for democracy in Nepal.
In the issue of September 8, most of the national headlines were about the blast at Malegaon which reminded the serial blast of the recent time. Terrorism has adversely effected the economy of the nation and most of the newspapers published the news items of the leaders condemning the incident.
In the local issue, the congress I members joining SDF and inauguration of multi purpose indoor stadium, rape and assault cases have been published. Another news item of crime is the burglary at Tadong. This area has indeed become a safe place for most of the thieves and anti-social elements and the focus of the media and police have to be concentrated. The flesh trade, drug addiction cases and the movement of strangers in this area in recent time have been increased many folds.
In the editorial line, Samay Dainik has written about the education part and advocated the cases of students while newly launched Himalyan Mirror has focused about the proposed hydel power project in Dzongo. Some of the local news papers did not write editorials, however there are many issues before the media about tackling the new cases of drug addiction, craze for earning easy money, gambling and many other political and social issues which even if they have already written in their previous columns, it has shaped a new turn and therefore posed a new problem and the issue must be studied analytically and from new outlook. This way, the media can highlight the issues.
- In the issue of September 8,most of the local newspapers have given prominent coverage of Pang Lhabsol, a festival of unity and prayer of Kanchendzonga, the guardian deity of Sikkim including the laying of foundation of Buddha statue of 80 feet tall in height at Ravangla, South Sikkim. The government of sikkim has chalked out a major initiative to develop the tourism in the state and as such the installation of statue at Ravangla of Lord Buddha is important from tourism point of view. The place will gradually change into holy shrine and thereby a place of Buddhist pilgrimage.
Another news is again about the drug trafficking at Rongpo. Despite the repeated arrest of drug peddlers and campaign against drug abuse, Sikkim is becoming an another safe abode for the drug peddlers. This is becoming a grave social issue at the moment and challenge to the NGOs working for the interest of the youths.
Another news comment is about the reaction of Sikkim Teachers's Association(STA). One local daily had made a comment on the basis of some of the teachers who could not get the proper seat on the guards' ground owing to the crowd gathered there who the news paper reported that they left the ground without attending the function because of alleged poor seating arrangement. STA, on the otherhand, contended that the function was unprecedented and unique for the first time in the history of organizing such grand function here and remarked in a press statement that since such a grand and historic function is organized for the first time, it is not the mistake of organizers which can happened anyway for the first time.
In editorial part, Sikkim Express has written about the recent incident on the caption of Protestors block Hydel Project Inspection Team at Sankalang Bridge. The recent incident which took place in Dzongo, North Sikkim rather created a democratic system, the editorial remarks. Water is considered national wealht and therefore the people of Sikkim have equal rights to enjoy the benefit, the editorial observes. However, if there is displacement of the people or ecological disbalance, the care must be taken by the policy makers and the doers which must be the concern of the agitating people there. But the problems must be finalized across the table therefore September 18 is fixed for public hearings. If the hearings and co-ordinations could have been done earlier, there would not have been such protest.
Another daily, Samaya has written about Seat reservation to be finalized in near future. After giving status of tribal to Limbu and Tamang, reservation of seats for them in Sikkim legislative assembly is necessitated and for the purpose, the state government has already convinced the central leadership. It is not about the mere possibility while we talk about the constitutional right and equality to all, this is to make the reality and obligation to fulfill by the central leadership for the interest of all the people of Sikkim and nation as a whole.
Most of the newspapers at the time of writting this comments were not available since some of them could not publish due to Pang Lhabsol holiday or some other reasons. The daily from Siliguri too could not be accessible before noon.
For other comments of previous issues , please click here
- In the issue of September 5, the local daily newspapers including the newspaper from Siliguri have published different news which can be termed as news of normal condition or situation. No much important news except the national news was published. Some news paper highlighted about the returning of Chief Minister after a week long visit from Delhi with colour photos while some of the news highlighted the demands raised by Chief Minister and placed before the Prime Minister. Today, being the Teachers' day some newspapers carried the write up on Sarvapalli Radha Krishna who was pioneer in the field of education of modern India.
Media and the intellectual society must focus their attentions about the need of reformation of education policy and do something to influence the thinking of national policy makers about the changing need of it.
- In the issue of August 31st, the local daily newspapers including the newspaper from Siliguri published about the news story about landslides. Coverage also has been given that High Court of Sikkim recommends compulsory retirement for a judge who refused verdict on Bhandari corruption case. In the landslides at Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, 2 persons died, many houses damaged. The incessant rainfall caused landslides at three subdivision of hill, transport effected, the landslide also hit Namchi and affected the roads from all sides. The news papers have also given prominent coverage about the CM, Pawan Chamling's visit to New Delhi and meeting with Union Minister and reminding them the various demands pending before the centre. The newspapers still continue to give the coverage of master mind of lottery rigging. Sikkim Express and Hamro Prajasakti have written editorials about the issue mentioning it the mental setup of the persons at the present society to become rich overnight without any hard work and contribution. This is a kind of new incident. After all greediness has no limitation but it results for instant downfall of the individual.Every citizen must learn lesson from such incident.
-Income tax office to be set up in Sikkim
- In the issue of August 30th,almost all the local news including the newspaper from Siliguri have given the prominent coverage about Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling's visit and meeing with the Union Home Minister, Mr. Shivraj Patel in the morning of August 29th. The news papers have in detailed published the discussion and issues raised by the Chief Minister Chamling relating to Sikkim lying pending before the central government and appealed the later for their early consideration. The reservation of seats for Limboo and Tamang Communities in Sikkim Legislative Assembly which the Chief Minister reiterated is published in main headlines in Hamro Prajasakti, Samaya Dainik, Sikkim Express. The coverage about the receiving of Arjun Award by Sikkim's star Tarundeep Rai with photos have been published by NOW, Prajasakti, Sikkim Express and others.
The lottery incident is also taken place for third consecutive day following the mastermind Phu Chung Chung arrested from Siliguri and brought to Sikkim. The reactions and counters are order of the day accusing each other. The political party particularly State Congress (I) and SDF party seems to be at a logger's head making statement to the local press about the recent statement of Chief Minister and its alleged meaning. While Mr. B.B.Gooroong says that the speech of CM on August 17th at Guard's ground during Panchayat Sammelan was in highly metaphoric language and it was nothing to do to take any revenge to any person, the opposition blames it with the timing of PIL at Supreme Court and threat to them.
Comment on the coverage of local newspapers
- In the issue of August 29th,almost all the local news including the newspaper from Siliguri have given the prominent coverage about the arrest of of persons for masterminding the manipulation of Lottery draw at Gangtok. The coverage was first taken out by NOW daily in the previous issue, while NOW, SIkkim Express, Samaya Dainik, Hamro Pahar, Sunchari, Himalaya Darpan, The mail gave it in the issue of August 29th from police version and with pictures of the persons involved in the incident. NOW has given the credit to nab the person with making their better co-ordination. Even the editorial is written on the performance of the police by NOW.The version and statement by the opposition is the another lead story in almost all the local newspaper. Filing of general diary in the police against the alleged threat for the PIL petitioners and the statement issued by the opposition makes lead story in the issue.
Comment on the coverage of local newspapers
In the issue of August 28th, the local news NOW, English daily, Himalaya Darpan and Sunchari and others two local daily Hamro Prajasakti and Samay have given prominent coverage on the function of Nirman Prakashan. The lead newspaper and its scoop of NOW is about the masked gang that operated here suddenly to tamper with or forge the lottery in their favour. Ranjit Singh, the correspondent of NOW has taken a laudable effort to project that how a gang of 8 persons masterminded the plan to go inside the room where the judges were to announce the lottery result with the help of the inside person related to Directorate of lotteries. Although police nabbed them at Siliguri now, the incident has left a strong warning to the present system of the lottery playing and controlling by the Directorate and lapses of security measure there. Equally concern and bad news to the state is that of a lady teacher who caught with substance of abuse at Melli. Whereas the old aged tradition of the society is that the teachers are often looked upon with due respect who are expected to mould and reform the life of the persons who are in darkness and ignorance, if they themselves involve in such an anti social activities ditching the hole of darkness for them, this is really a terrible and shocking incident which must not be taken for granted by the Human Resources and Development and a strong action to such teacher at once must be taken. The controversy now arises here while the government talk about the quality of education, whether there should be proper selection of the candidates for the post of teacher without bias and political interference or not? Whether, it was not due to the lapses of the selection procedure that the education system is facing criticism at all? Tens and Thousands questions have been raised out of this single incident and this incident has left bad name to the profession of teacher too. The right thinking persons and intellectual person must condemn and dismiss such an anti social act. If gold take rust, what shall iron do?
Himalaya Darpan has started giving more colourful look even in the inside page and in today's issue of SIKKIM DARPAN page and Darjeeling page, they have put more colour photos and also write up. Himalaya Darpan has been successful to give maximum coverage due to local or regional edition. In today's issue, the comprehensive details of murder or sucide case of South SIkkim and the people of Sumbuk has been the scoop. The effort of the correspondent including RATAN Gurung's effort to give the accounts from various angles the in depth report has made this issue really eye opener to the police and administration about the incident. Whether the incident must be taken into account as the murder or the suicide due to circumstantial evidence and a person's statement saying before the people? It has really raised many questions.One accused person is stated to have made statement that if he will be once taken to outside the State or across Rongpoo boarder, he will give the true accounts of the incident, it made the issue more complicated while police insisted on that the incident was suicide only. There is resentment from the people at large in order to find out the truth and book the culprit. The investigation is going on but the report suggests that people have no faith on the investigation of the police.
Other news items
-Advisor to CM and former CM Mr.B.B. Gooroong lambasted the oppositions for misinterpretation of the fact of the notice issued by Supreme court in the Press Conference held at Tashiling, Gangtok.
--Chief Minister Chamling has strongly refuted the allegation in the speech made by him on August 17, at Panchayat Sammelan. What he said was twisted or misinterpreted by the opposition, he says. Actually, the chief minister had categorically said that he would not leave the politics till he will defeat all the anti people elements.
- Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is to attend the India today's conclave on August 28. This time, Sikkim is expected to bring more glory or add feather in her cap.
-Lucy Doma, a land lady and daugher-in-law of Chief Secretary of Sikkim is cold bloodily murdered by her tenant.
-Mr. C.K. Shrestha, working president of Bharatiya Gorkha Parishang discussed the seven issues adopted by the BGP, an NGO as the national issue of Gorkhas with Mr. C.D. Rai, Senior citizen and Mr.Subash Deepak and Mr. Bijay Bantawa, Senior Journalist. The Parisang has taken a new leaf after he took over the portfolio.
-One female Child Shivani is missing in an road accident 4 kilometres away from Rangpo at Bhotey Bhir . A sumo tata No. S.K. 04-7452 was proceeding to Gangtok from Siliguri on last friday. Lecuturer of Siliguri college and writer Mr. Tejman Baraily and his wife Kalpana Baraily of AIR, Gangtok grievously injured and presently hospitalized at STNM hospital Gangtok and under treatment.
Comment on the coverage of local newspapers
Most of the daily newspapers like NOW, Hamro Prajasakti, Samay Dainik, Sunchari and others have given prominent coverage of the Bus accident. The total death toll including the name list of deceased have been published in box by Hamro Prajasakti and Samaya Dainik which came in news stand early this morning. One of the news published by the local daily including Sunchari is about the death of prominent literary figure and Sahitya academi winner, Mr. R.P. Lama,75 who expired on last thursday at Darjeeling. The news of bus accident was so socking in the state that most of the local dailies like NOW, Samay and Prajasakti wrote editorial about the gruesome incident which took lives of 21 persons.
Is it right to accuse others for our Nepali language?
In a local newspaper, there is coverage of a news about putting advertisement by a renown company in Sikkim in Bengla language. There was such criticism in the past also when some of the hoteliers put hoardings in Bengali language just to grab customers and make money duly forgetting the local sentiments and tradition as alleged by the people and media. Technically speaking, this is not a fault of any company or Bengali language that is being imposed as they thought. It is in broader sense the non-settlement and Luke worm response from the state and centre government about the issue which was raised in editorial and other newspapers by the senior journalists in the state. The root cause is that even after becoming the full fledged state, Sikkim has been put under West Bengal circle and even after becoming the member of North East Council, Sikkim remains under West Bengal circle in term of post and telegraph, telecommunications and even the AIR and PIB or Press Information Bureau of India (dealing with media affairs) remain under West Bengal Circle. In the website too, BSNL had projected Sikkim as a district or a circle of West Bengal. Who bother about it? Which political party take it as their issue instead of fighting themselves in the State? Who sense the wrong doers?
The facility to NE journalists is being extended in term of common accreditation, but Sikkim will deprive for PIB is not under NE circle. Some years ago, the office of postal registration of local newspapers was shifted to Siliguri without the notice to the local journalists. It is much hue and cry made by some journalists that it is restored now but still the postal department is under West Bengal Circle. For that matter, all the telecommunication system even the Reliance and other mobile telephone company work and regulates under the West Bengal circle and acts. Therefore, it is obvious that they make plan according to the need of west bengal circle over looking the sentiments of the customers of Sikkim.
It is therefore, need of the hour to make all these department fully independent for Sikkim as full fledged state or member of NE council first and foremost and then to look ahead than to make a fuss.
Comment on other stories..........
The local daily newspapers like NOW, Samaya, Prajasakti, Himalayan Mirror, Sikkim Express and others prominently have given the coverage of ongoing All India Governor’s Gold cup football match tournament in which Sanju Pradhan, a local lad playing from Sikkim Football Association got place to join AIR India Mumbai. The football superstar Bhaichung’s presence in the tournament is also an encouragement to the football players. With the deshara and dipawali festival, the environment with the sport festival in the palzor stadium dragged the attention of media too apart from the audience although the audience as expected did not turn up.
The other story, the escaping or spider man (Rakesh Rai) an accused who already escaped three times from jail and police custody was given prominent coverage by almost all the papers and it was talk in the town about the repeated escape of the accused. One cannot praise such skill of escape attempt, but the people thought if such young person in time could be reformed and his skill could be used for constructive work, it could be better. The jail authority and specially the police personnel now must realized that something must be done to do away of this repeat escape of the accused.
Another story which appeared in the local media is the Janata Mela being organized in the different place of the state. The vehement statement of Chief Minister Chamling that he will not rest till the anti-poor people elements are not totally uprooted from Sikkim politics was prominently published in the local media. His same statement earlier was taken in different connotation by the opposition. It is not the physical challenge that sounded in his speech but in his political stance and determination to work for the poor people of the state as reported by the local Medias.
Compared to past publications of the local Medias, most of the local Medias have shown good improvement in reporting and coverage, however, still there is need to change to follow the good trend of journalism in the state. The spirit of true journalism and the beauty of working together is still missing. Some of the journalists still at large in accusing his or her fellow journalists for failure of fulfilling their objective. The role of the journalists and local media must not only confine to give coverage whatever they get in their ways, the investigative journalism with the sense of social reformation and new thought is yet to usher in. NOW, a local daily is setting an example in this direction in which unbiased and balance coverage is more or less maintained.
n the issue of September 13, the local newspapers have given the coverage of political and social events and incidents. The further arrest of lottery rigging, abduction at Ravangla, murder of a person following love affairs within the family circle in North Sikkim and accusations and counter accusations of the opposition parties have been published in daily NOW, Hamro Prajasakti , Samaya Dainik and others.
However, the focus of the local news is on the recent hike of taxi fare. Majority of the passengers who are office goers and others are being charged of Rs. 15/- per head while it should have been Rs.11/- as per the prescribed rate of motor vehicle. NOW has even commented on the issue in its editorial column. The protest has not been lodged in the street but majority of the passengers are commenting this as not justified rate. At this juncture, All Sikkim Youth Association has demanded for more City runners obviously to those persons who cannot afford the money on daily basis. While Government has issued taxi numbers more and more and various banking institution operating in the state gave finance easily to purchase vehicle, it is ridiculous that more than 75 percents drivers are not from Sikkim. Therefore, the very purpose of the government has not been served because of not properly investigating the persons to whom the taxi numbers have been issued. If the purpose of defeats, the government needs to recertify the process.
Hamro Prajasakti has written an editorial on International Nepali cultural Sammelan. The editorial has asked the modus operandi of holding such conference supporting King Gyanendra and Hindu Kingdom. The editorial has sharply criticised Singhal, the President of Biswa Hindu Parishad who openly supported Hindu Kingdom against the will of the majority people of India who are championing the cause for democracy in Nepal.
In the issue of September 8, most of the national headlines were about the blast at Malegaon which reminded the serial blast of the recent time. Terrorism has adversely effected the economy of the nation and most of the newspapers published the news items of the leaders condemning the incident.
In the local issue, the congress I members joining SDF and inauguration of multi purpose indoor stadium, rape and assault cases have been published. Another news item of crime is the burglary at Tadong. This area has indeed become a safe place for most of the thieves and anti-social elements and the focus of the media and police have to be concentrated. The flesh trade, drug addiction cases and the movement of strangers in this area in recent time have been increased many folds.
In the editorial line, Samay Dainik has written about the education part and advocated the cases of students while newly launched Himalyan Mirror has focused about the proposed hydel power project in Dzongo. Some of the local news papers did not write editorials, however there are many issues before the media about tackling the new cases of drug addiction, craze for earning easy money, gambling and many other political and social issues which even if they have already written in their previous columns, it has shaped a new turn and therefore posed a new problem and the issue must be studied analytically and from new outlook. This way, the media can highlight the issues.
- In the issue of September 8,most of the local newspapers have given prominent coverage of Pang Lhabsol, a festival of unity and prayer of Kanchendzonga, the guardian deity of Sikkim including the laying of foundation of Buddha statue of 80 feet tall in height at Ravangla, South Sikkim. The government of sikkim has chalked out a major initiative to develop the tourism in the state and as such the installation of statue at Ravangla of Lord Buddha is important from tourism point of view. The place will gradually change into holy shrine and thereby a place of Buddhist pilgrimage.
Another news is again about the drug trafficking at Rongpo. Despite the repeated arrest of drug peddlers and campaign against drug abuse, Sikkim is becoming an another safe abode for the drug peddlers. This is becoming a grave social issue at the moment and challenge to the NGOs working for the interest of the youths.
Another news comment is about the reaction of Sikkim Teachers's Association(STA). One local daily had made a comment on the basis of some of the teachers who could not get the proper seat on the guards' ground owing to the crowd gathered there who the news paper reported that they left the ground without attending the function because of alleged poor seating arrangement. STA, on the otherhand, contended that the function was unprecedented and unique for the first time in the history of organizing such grand function here and remarked in a press statement that since such a grand and historic function is organized for the first time, it is not the mistake of organizers which can happened anyway for the first time.
In editorial part, Sikkim Express has written about the recent incident on the caption of Protestors block Hydel Project Inspection Team at Sankalang Bridge. The recent incident which took place in Dzongo, North Sikkim rather created a democratic system, the editorial remarks. Water is considered national wealht and therefore the people of Sikkim have equal rights to enjoy the benefit, the editorial observes. However, if there is displacement of the people or ecological disbalance, the care must be taken by the policy makers and the doers which must be the concern of the agitating people there. But the problems must be finalized across the table therefore September 18 is fixed for public hearings. If the hearings and co-ordinations could have been done earlier, there would not have been such protest.
Another daily, Samaya has written about Seat reservation to be finalized in near future. After giving status of tribal to Limbu and Tamang, reservation of seats for them in Sikkim legislative assembly is necessitated and for the purpose, the state government has already convinced the central leadership. It is not about the mere possibility while we talk about the constitutional right and equality to all, this is to make the reality and obligation to fulfill by the central leadership for the interest of all the people of Sikkim and nation as a whole.
Most of the newspapers at the time of writting this comments were not available since some of them could not publish due to Pang Lhabsol holiday or some other reasons. The daily from Siliguri too could not be accessible before noon.
- In the issue of September 5, the local daily newspapers including the newspaper from Siliguri have published different news which can be termed as news of normal condition or situation. No much important news except the national news was published. Some news paper highlighted about the returning of Chief Minister after a week long visit from Delhi with colour photos while some of the news highlighted the demands raised by Chief Minister and placed before the Prime Minister. Today, being the Teachers' day some newspapers carried the write up on Sarvapalli Radha Krishna who was pioneer in the field of education of modern India.
Media and the intellectual society must focus their attentions about the need of reformation of education policy and do something to influence the thinking of national policy makers about the changing need of it.
- In the issue of August 31st, the local daily newspapers including the newspaper from Siliguri published about the news story about landslides. Coverage also has been given that High Court of Sikkim recommends compulsory retirement for a judge who refused verdict on Bhandari corruption case. In the landslides at Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, 2 persons died, many houses damaged. The incessant rainfall caused landslides at three subdivision of hill, transport effected, the landslide also hit Namchi and affected the roads from all sides. The news papers have also given prominent coverage about the CM, Pawan Chamling's visit to New Delhi and meeting with Union Minister and reminding them the various demands pending before the centre. The newspapers still continue to give the coverage of master mind of lottery rigging. Sikkim Express and Hamro Prajasakti have written editorials about the issue mentioning it the mental setup of the persons at the present society to become rich overnight without any hard work and contribution. This is a kind of new incident. After all greediness has no limitation but it results for instant downfall of the individual.Every citizen must learn lesson from such incident.
-Income tax office to be set up in Sikkim
- In the issue of August 30th,almost all the local news including the newspaper from Siliguri have given the prominent coverage about Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling's visit and meeing with the Union Home Minister, Mr. Shivraj Patel in the morning of August 29th. The news papers have in detailed published the discussion and issues raised by the Chief Minister Chamling relating to Sikkim lying pending before the central government and appealed the later for their early consideration. The reservation of seats for Limboo and Tamang Communities in Sikkim Legislative Assembly which the Chief Minister reiterated is published in main headlines in Hamro Prajasakti, Samaya Dainik, Sikkim Express. The coverage about the receiving of Arjun Award by Sikkim's star Tarundeep Rai with photos have been published by NOW, Prajasakti, Sikkim Express and others.
The lottery incident is also taken place for third consecutive day following the mastermind Phu Chung Chung arrested from Siliguri and brought to Sikkim. The reactions and counters are order of the day accusing each other. The political party particularly State Congress (I) and SDF party seems to be at a logger's head making statement to the local press about the recent statement of Chief Minister and its alleged meaning. While Mr. B.B.Gooroong says that the speech of CM on August 17th at Guard's ground during Panchayat Sammelan was in highly metaphoric language and it was nothing to do to take any revenge to any person, the opposition blames it with the timing of PIL at Supreme Court and threat to them.
Comment on the coverage of local newspapers
- In the issue of August 29th,almost all the local news including the newspaper from Siliguri have given the prominent coverage about the arrest of of persons for masterminding the manipulation of Lottery draw at Gangtok. The coverage was first taken out by NOW daily in the previous issue, while NOW, SIkkim Express, Samaya Dainik, Hamro Pahar, Sunchari, Himalaya Darpan, The mail gave it in the issue of August 29th from police version and with pictures of the persons involved in the incident. NOW has given the credit to nab the person with making their better co-ordination. Even the editorial is written on the performance of the police by NOW.The version and statement by the opposition is the another lead story in almost all the local newspaper. Filing of general diary in the police against the alleged threat for the PIL petitioners and the statement issued by the opposition makes lead story in the issue.
Comment on the coverage of local newspapers
In the issue of August 28th, the local news NOW, English daily, Himalaya Darpan and Sunchari and others two local daily Hamro Prajasakti and Samay have given prominent coverage on the function of Nirman Prakashan. The lead newspaper and its scoop of NOW is about the masked gang that operated here suddenly to tamper with or forge the lottery in their favour. Ranjit Singh, the correspondent of NOW has taken a laudable effort to project that how a gang of 8 persons masterminded the plan to go inside the room where the judges were to announce the lottery result with the help of the inside person related to Directorate of lotteries. Although police nabbed them at Siliguri now, the incident has left a strong warning to the present system of the lottery playing and controlling by the Directorate and lapses of security measure there. Equally concern and bad news to the state is that of a lady teacher who caught with substance of abuse at Melli. Whereas the old aged tradition of the society is that the teachers are often looked upon with due respect who are expected to mould and reform the life of the persons who are in darkness and ignorance, if they themselves involve in such an anti social activities ditching the hole of darkness for them, this is really a terrible and shocking incident which must not be taken for granted by the Human Resources and Development and a strong action to such teacher at once must be taken. The controversy now arises here while the government talk about the quality of education, whether there should be proper selection of the candidates for the post of teacher without bias and political interference or not? Whether, it was not due to the lapses of the selection procedure that the education system is facing criticism at all? Tens and Thousands questions have been raised out of this single incident and this incident has left bad name to the profession of teacher too. The right thinking persons and intellectual person must condemn and dismiss such an anti social act. If gold take rust, what shall iron do?
Himalaya Darpan has started giving more colourful look even in the inside page and in today's issue of SIKKIM DARPAN page and Darjeeling page, they have put more colour photos and also write up. Himalaya Darpan has been successful to give maximum coverage due to local or regional edition. In today's issue, the comprehensive details of murder or sucide case of South SIkkim and the people of Sumbuk has been the scoop. The effort of the correspondent including RATAN Gurung's effort to give the accounts from various angles the in depth report has made this issue really eye opener to the police and administration about the incident. Whether the incident must be taken into account as the murder or the suicide due to circumstantial evidence and a person's statement saying before the people? It has really raised many questions.One accused person is stated to have made statement that if he will be once taken to outside the State or across Rongpoo boarder, he will give the true accounts of the incident, it made the issue more complicated while police insisted on that the incident was suicide only. There is resentment from the people at large in order to find out the truth and book the culprit. The investigation is going on but the report suggests that people have no faith on the investigation of the police.
Other news items
-Advisor to CM and former CM Mr.B.B. Gooroong lambasted the oppositions for misinterpretation of the fact of the notice issued by Supreme court in the Press Conference held at Tashiling, Gangtok.
--Chief Minister Chamling has strongly refuted the allegation in the speech made by him on August 17, at Panchayat Sammelan. What he said was twisted or misinterpreted by the opposition, he says. Actually, the chief minister had categorically said that he would not leave the politics till he will defeat all the anti people elements.
- Chief Minister Pawan Chamling is to attend the India today's conclave on August 28. This time, Sikkim is expected to bring more glory or add feather in her cap.
-Lucy Doma, a land lady and daugher-in-law of Chief Secretary of Sikkim is cold bloodily murdered by her tenant.
-Mr. C.K. Shrestha, working president of Bharatiya Gorkha Parishang discussed the seven issues adopted by the BGP, an NGO as the national issue of Gorkhas with Mr. C.D. Rai, Senior citizen and Mr.Subash Deepak and Mr. Bijay Bantawa, Senior Journalist. The Parisang has taken a new leaf after he took over the portfolio.
-One female Child Shivani is missing in an road accident 4 kilometres away from Rangpo at Bhotey Bhir . A sumo tata No. S.K. 04-7452 was proceeding to Gangtok from Siliguri on last friday. Lecuturer of Siliguri college and writer Mr. Tejman Baraily and his wife Kalpana Baraily of AIR, Gangtok grievously injured and presently hospitalized at STNM hospital Gangtok and under treatment.