A small newspaper of 1945 vintage keeps journalism alive: in Meghalaya

Shillong landscape

From my base in Guwahati I make the road trip to Shillong in Meghalaya. The road is pretty good but the multiple hairpin bends negotiated at 90 km/h by my taxi driver unsettles me though I have had an early breakfast and am a roadie-journalist for ages.

It takes about 90 minutes to reach the fringes of Shillong but another 30 minutes to get to the city centre - the narrow roads which also take lorry traffic can only let vehicles crawl their way. So I stare at the little hawker-shops, all of wood and at every corner, fresh pork meat is being sold.

Patricia Mukhim is the editor of the 1945-founded 'Shillong Times' and she has invited me to her home for a quick conversation.

Editor of Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim

Patricia and her newspaper were in the news recently in a rare case in which the Meghalaya High Court slapped a severe fine and a punishment on her; the contempt of court case was slapped because the newspaper reported on a pile of benefits and add-ons that the judges of this court had sought post-retirement, including fancy smartphones for them and their wives. Thankfully, the Supreme Court has given this feisty journalist some relief now.

In her wonderfully-designed house just outside the busy city centre, Patricia tells me that her journalism takes off from the spirit of the newspaper's owner and former editor who allows her the freedom to do what is right, even though the man is now a politician. She admits that the pulls and pressures on journalists in a small state are many and hard but she has managed to deal with them well.

But Patricia has a bigger challenge - the dearth of skilled, trained journalists tells on the quality of journalism that local newspapers offer. "Those who apply for a job are keen only to work at the Desk. They do not want to go out and report because they feel it is tough," she tells me. So she now manages with only two reporters and an enterprising deputy, Jose who often travels the state to file long stories.

Communication lines are much better now and WhatsApp is seen as a useful tool to file stories and send pictures.

However, the website of 'Shillong Times' which was launched some two years ago is primitive, to say the least.

"We just don't get people to work for us," Patricia throws up her hands. And tells me of the political and economic-social trends in Meghalaya this past year.

"I once saw a TV advert on turmeric powder sold by a Tamil Nadu agency and I said - Now here in Meghalaya we have the finest turmeric and all we need is good marketing to help our farmers."