- K Yadagiri Rao
Port Blair, June 25: The print media in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is facing an existential crisis as the digital transformation of government communication pushes traditional newspapers to the margins. Once considered the Fourth Estate of democracy, local newspapers are now on the brink of collapse, receiving little to no support from the public, local administration, or even the Central Government.
Over the past decade, the NDA government has
adopted a digital-first approach, promoting citizen engagement through official
online portals and platforms such as Twitter / X, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube. These tools have facilitated direct communication between the public
and various ministries, but at the cost of sidelining mainstream media,
especially print.
Local journalists, many of whom have devoted their
lives to reporting from the grassroots, now find themselves without a viable
livelihood. "We entered the field to strengthen democracy, but today, our
efforts go unnoticed and unsupported," said a senior journalist from Port
Blair.
Stakeholders in the Islands' democratic structure
appear indifferent to the slow death of local journalism. Without circulation,
advertisement support, or policy intervention, newspapers are fading into
irrelevance.
Observers say if the government no longer sees a
role for print media, it should formally acknowledge it and extend dignified
alternatives to affected media personnel. Proposals include livelihood support
or integration into public communication systems.
As the Islands move further into the digital age, questions arise about who will represent the voices from remote corners if the press is allowed to die in silence.
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