The recently held international conference on “Media, Populism, and Democracy” at Nagaland University shed light on a critical yet often overlooked aspect of democracy—the indispensable role of the media. Prof. Shashi Shekhar Singh rightly pointed out that democracies require informed citizens and that the media bears the responsibility of extracting and presenting the truth. He warned against misinformation, which distorts democratic processes and weakens governance. However, while discussions on media influence often focus on national and corporate-controlled outlets, the struggles of local and hyperlocal media—especially in places like Mokokchung—receive very little attention or none at all.
In places like Nagaland, and particularly in remote districts like Mokokchung, local and hyperlocal media struggle against overwhelming odds to fulfill its role. The struggles faced by these media outlets are multifaceted. Unlike corporate-backed national media, local journalists work with limited financial resources, with no stable income, insufficient equipment, and unreliable internet connectivity. Many reporters work out of passion rather than financial security, yet their contributions to democracy are immeasurable. They cover grassroots governance, expose corruption, and highlight issues that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Beyond financial constraints, a more disheartening challenge is the lack of support from the very communities they serve. Civil society, which should be a pillar of democracy, often overlooks the struggles of local journalists. There is little collaboration or advocacy to strengthen these essential institutions. Without this support, local media remain vulnerable to pressure, threats, and even self-censorship, weakening their ability to report freely and fearlessly.
Logistical challenges further hinder the work of hyperlocal journalism. Covering a story in remote regions means traveling through treacherous terrain, dealing with unreliable transportation, and sometimes even facing personal risk without any proportionate reward. With no institutional backing, local journalists continue their work in isolation, making democracy weaker without the community realizing it.
The discussions at Nagaland University reaffirmed that democracy cannot function without a free and independent press. However, the press cannot function effectively without public and civil society support. If communities do not actively safeguard and uplift local journalism, they risk losing their most reliable watchdogs— a role that neither national nor state media can fully replace. It is time to recognize and support local media—not just with words, but with action—before the silence becomes irreversible and society weakens under the weight of ignorance and unchecked power.