In any functioning society, news is not meant to be consumed quietly. It is meant to provoke, to question, and to hold power accountable. Yet in Mokokchung and other far flung districts of Nagaland, a worrying culture of passive news consumption is taking root.
When large sections of society become passive consumers of news, the effects go far beyond just media habits. It reshapes how democracy, public opinion, and accountability function. This is not an abstract concern. It is visible in the silence that often follows even the most significant developments.
In Nagaland today, there are some individuals who question, analyse, and challenge narratives. However, these voices are few and are largely concentrated in Kohima and Dimapur. Beyond these centres, the culture of engagement thins out sharply. Mokokchung, despite its intellectual legacy, is falling behind. The problem is not the absence of news. Information flows faster than ever. The problem is the absence of interrogation. News is read, shared, and quickly forgotten. Rarely is it examined. Rarely is it debated. This pattern creates a public that is informed in appearance but disengaged in reality.
The consequences are serious. First, critical thinking declines. People begin to accept information at face value instead of questioning sources, motives, or accuracy. This makes them more vulnerable to misinformation, propaganda, and selective narratives. Second, power becomes increasingly concentrated because fewer people question what they consume. Over time, this leads to a narrowing of public discourse where only a handful of people shape public opinion while the majority simply absorbs it.
Third, civic engagement weakens. A passive reader is less likely to participate in discussions or hold leaders accountable. Democracy depends on active citizens, not silent audiences. Fourth, important issues are often ignored. Attention shifts to what is easy to consume, while complex matters of policy and governance receive little scrutiny. A society that does not engage critically with information risks becoming shallow in its understanding of its own realities.
Finally, it creates an illusion of awareness. People feel informed because they are constantly exposed to news, but without reflection, that awareness remains shallow. This shallowness is increasingly evident in Mokokchung, where public discourse often fails to move beyond surface reactions.
Reversing this trend requires a cultural shift. Readers must move from passive consumption to active engagement. Conversations must extend beyond headlines. Questions must be asked, even when they are uncomfortable.
If Mokokchung is to reclaim its place as a centre of thought, it must rebuild a culture of questioning. Without that, silence will become its nature, and it will stand as a muted spectator while the rest of the state moves forward.