Keeping the Press Alive in Mokokchung

Publishing a newspaper from a remote small town like Mokokchung is among the most demanding undertakings in journalism. Distance from major urban centres, limited infrastructure, logistical delays, and financial constraints combine to test the resolve of any media organization. Yet, in the face of these realities, it remains deeply fulfilling to know that two newspapers continue to be published from Mokokchung. Their very existence stands as a quiet but powerful affirmation that local journalism still matters.

For an independent media house free from political patronage and commercial influence, survival itself is a daily challenge. The absence of powerful backers means that every edition is sustained by commitment, credibility, hard work, and public trust rather than by convenience or compromise. It is the support of the community and the encouragement of readers from across Nagaland and beyond that have enabled us to overcome these difficulties and continue publishing with purpose.

At Mokokchung Times, we do not view journalism as a competitive race for dominance. Our philosophy has always been that the media must complement one another, not undermine each other. Each newspaper, each platform, and each journalist contributes to strengthening the fourth estate and to building an informed and engaged citizenry. A healthy media ecosystem is one where diverse voices coexist, question authority, and broaden public discourse.

Despite limited resources and persistent constraints, we have completed another year of ethical journalism with a sense of quiet satisfaction. We take pride in having played a role in raising journalistic standards in the state, amplifying voices that often go unheard, holding those in positions of authority accountable, and upholding democratic values that are essential to a functioning society. These principles guide our work, even when circumstances make the task harder than it should be.

In Mokokchung, this spirit of mutual respect and cooperation extends beyond editorial philosophy. In line with our belief in complementarity, we acknowledge the Ao Milen establishment for extending support, particularly during technical and mechanical difficulties. In a remote town where even a minor mechanical issue can take days to resolve, such cooperation is not merely helpful but essential. It reflects a shared understanding that sustaining local journalism requires trust, solidarity, and collective responsibility. While we remain distinct entities, we look forward to continuing this complementary relationship in the years ahead.

As we move into the New Year, we inform our readers that while our print editions will resume publication from January 8, our online platforms will remain accessible. We remain grateful for the faith our readers place in us and reaffirm our commitment to responsible, independent, and ethical journalism.

As we publish our final edition of 2025, it is a moment to pause, not to celebrate ourselves, but to reflect on what it has meant to report from Mokokchung and Nagaland through a year that was demanding, complex and deeply revealing.

Journalism, especially at the district level, is rarely glamorous. It is slow work, often uncomfortable, sometimes isolating, and almost always under-resourced. Yet, 2025 reaffirmed why this work matters.

Over the past year, Mokokchung Times has continued to document governance, politics, conflict, community life and everyday realities with one guiding principle: public interest. We reported on issues that affected ordinary citizens, asked difficult questions of those in authority, and gave space to voices that are often overlooked. From governance gaps and political claims to livelihoods, culture, youth initiatives and community resilience, our effort has been to remain consistent, factual and fair.

One of the clearest indicators of this journey has been the response from readers. In 2025, our reporting reached over 6 million people on Instagram, along with millions more on Facebook, X, and our website. For a district-based publication, this reach is not incidental. It reflects a growing demand for grounded, accountable journalism that does not sensationalize but also does not look away.

Beyond reporting, Mokokchung Times has also partnered in initiatives that strengthen community engagement, including support for sports such as the Nagaland Football Association and many other local events. We remain grateful for the recognition and trust the community has placed in us through these collaborations.

At the same time, reach and partnerships alone are not our measure of success. The real value of journalism lies in trust. It lies in whether people believe that a publication reports without fear or favor, whether it treats subjects with dignity, and whether it remains rooted in the community it serves. That trust is built slowly, story by story, often under difficult circumstances.

The challenges remain real. Independent journalism in Nagaland continues to operate under financial constraints, limited institutional support, and increasing pressures in an environment where speaking truth can invite discomfort. Reporting responsibly on sensitive issues requires restraint, courage and constant self-reflection. It also requires community backing, not only in words, but in sustained support.

Mokokchung Times is not separate from the community. It exists because of it. Our stories come from villages, towns, institutions, churches, schools, offices and streets. The responsibility to keep this platform alive and credible cannot rest on a newsroom alone. It requires readers who engage critically, contributors who value accuracy, and a community that understands the role of journalism in a healthy society.

As we close 2025, we do so with gratitude to our readers, contributors, sources and critics alike. Criticism, when honest, has helped us reflect and improve. Support, when steady, has helped us continue.

The year ahead will bring its own challenges. We enter it with the same commitment: to report responsibly, to question power, to document community life honestly, and to remain accountable to the people we serve. Mokokchung Times will resume publication on January 8, 2026, and we look forward to continuing this journey with our readers.

For Mokokchung Times, journalism is not about good news or bad news. It is about telling the story of our society as truthfully as possible. We thank the community for walking with us so far, and we ask for your continued trust, engagement and support in the year ahead.

~ Editorial team
Mokokchung Times