Khumulwng, Tripura: The hills and villages of Tripura have been witness to an extraordinary display of unity among media persons, news channels, and concerned citizens as they protest against the alleged discriminatory practices of the Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) department under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) administration.

In recent times, Tiprasa reporters and media professionals have been tirelessly working to highlight the pressing issues faced by the hills and the local Tiprasa population. Their aim has been to bring these concerns to the forefront of the TTAADC government’s agenda, thereby fostering holistic development and better livelihoods for the people residing in these areas. Multiple news channels have dedicated themselves to support the developmental efforts of the TTAADC government, spreading positivity among the masses.

However, the recent distribution of government advertisements only among four specific news channels has raised questions and eyebrows within the media community. This selective allocation of advertisements appears to favor a handful of news channels while leaving out a significant number of others. As per Tripura state government’s advertisement policy, only the news channels enlisted under ICA are entitled to receive government advertisements.

Interestingly, a disconcerting trend has emerged within the ICA department where non-enlisted news channels, seemingly chosen arbitrarily, were granted work orders for telecasting government advertisements. This move has sparked an outcry, as it prompts the query: if non-enlisted channels can secure work orders, why should over 20 Tiprasa news channels be excluded from this government facility? Many media professionals, organizations, and individuals have united to challenge this apparent discrepancy.

In a unanimous voice of dissent, these stakeholders argue that fairness and equal opportunity should be the guiding principles of government advertisement distribution. The alleged divide and rule policy adopted by the ICA department has left a vast majority of news channels feeling marginalized and deprived of rightful opportunities. This discriminatory practice contradicts the fundamental principles of a just and inclusive society.

Organizations and news channels have come together to denounce the ICA department’s actions, labeling them as shameful and unjust. The frustration and discontentment have been building up for years, leading to this current unrest. The media community, which has long been the voice of the people, is determined to demand transparency, equity, and accountability from the ICA department.

Interestingly, after a new government came into power in ADC, a promise with an initiative was taken that within three or few more months a new advertisement policy would be introduced where all the media persons and news channels owners would benefit from. But like three years have passed, many meeting was held, but still there is no sign of introducing or applying new advertisement policy in ICA, TTAADC.

In response to these developments, media professionals have initiated steps to launch a mass movement that aims to secure justice for all Tiprasa news channels. The movement underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and equal opportunities for every stakeholder within the media ecosystem. As the unity among media persons and organizations grows stronger, it is clear that the ICA department’s practices are being brought under scrutiny, and a robust demand for reform is taking shape.

With the hills of Tripura reverberating with calls for fairness and justice, the media community’s resilience and determination remain unshaken. The coming days are poised to witness a wave of protest and a powerful demand for change that will echo throughout the region.

• – By Borokpost Desk