Media as an industry in Nagaland has grown steadily over the years, yet a glaring imbalance remains in coverage across the state. Most media houses operate out of Dimapur, naturally resulting in the district receiving a disproportionate share of attention. This focus is understandable, given Dimapur’s status as the largest and most populous town. Similarly, Kohima, being the state capital, attracts the most coverage as the hub of governance and major events. While these trends are logical, they highlight the persistent but not always intentional neglect of other districts.
Extending media coverage equitably to all corners of Nagaland remains a challenge. Journalists and media houses face numerous constraints, with financial limitations being the most significant. Not every organization can afford to deploy personnel across every district. Nevertheless, some districts, such as Mokokchung, benefit from a notable presence of correspondents representing nearly all major media houses. Mokokchung also has two newspapers, contributing to local reportage. While having a dedicated newspaper in every district would be ideal, sustaining such operations is not practically feasible.
Despite these challenges, media outlets in districts like Mokokchung strive to cover events statewide, ensuring that readers remain informed. Yet the task is compounded by the widespread media illiteracy among the population. Recognizing the work of committed journalists is crucial, and it is important to differentiate genuine journalism from content designed for virality.
Journalists are, in a way, chroniclers of history, which is why they are also called scribes. Not all media personalities and influencers are journalists. Sharing snippets, harvesting aura, clickbait, and chasing virality is not real journalism. Event organizers should also not consider journalists as content creators or PR props. Journalists exist to inform, document, and hold society accountable. True journalism involves rigorous reporting, verification, and context. As Nagaland’s media continues to grow, supporting genuine journalists and promoting media literacy across the state must remain a priority to ensure that every district’s stories are heard and recorded for posterity.