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Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphui Rio (2nd from right) and other member of NDPP at the inaugural session of a seminar-cum-workshop organised by NDPP at the Nousi Auditorium, Niathu Resort on April 27. (EM Images)[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, April 27 (EMN): With the understanding that the traditional media and social media platforms have become powerful tools for all professions and activities, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) held a seminar-cum-workshop where award winning journalist and consulting editor of CNN News 18, Karma S Paljor was the resource person.
The chief minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio in his keynote address said that as a political party, the tools provided in the form of media must be used in a positive manner and to serve the purpose of carrying out the party’s agendas. “Traditional and new media has to be used to deliver better governance, improve administration and strengthen democracy,” he said.
Sharing that the internet and the information highway have become the real platforms of democracy, the chief minister added that it provides each individual, irrespective of background and location, with the power of speech and opinion.
Rio said that the power, reach and speed of social media do not need any elaboration. “The new forms of media, especially social media, have become a part and parcel of our everyday lives. Apart from using the new forms of media as networking tools, social media has also become a means of information and knowledge,” he said adding that media has become “central in everything”.
“As a political party, we have to adapt to the reality of the present times, equip ourselves with the current trends to improve our performance, upgrade our capacity and calibre and use the available tools to enhance our output,” the chief minister told his party members.
Reminding that there are adversaries and oppositions in the political arena, he urged the party members to be ‘ahead of the game’. “This is why, we are holding such seminars and workshops to improve our capacity and improve our delivery mechanism with more effectiveness,” he asserted.
Taking the example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the outreach he made via an app to lakhs of women and men, Rio affirmed of the ‘unimaginable reach’ social media can have. “Today, it is more important and more effective to be e-connected than to be physically connected in a work environment,” he said, adding that governments are using the power of the internet and the tools of media to improve delivery, bring administration closer to the people, combat corruption and get feedback from citizens.
Apart from the positive aspects of social media, the chief minister also warned of the ills and negative aspects of these tools. “The biggest challenge that the global community faces today in the context of new media is the uncontrolled and unregulated spread of fake news and information. Media responsibility is something we have to educate our society on and I am sure our resource person will give equal importance to his challenge,” he said.
Rio also exhorted the party members and leaders to understand the history, background and aims and objectives of the party. “You are not just the carriers of the party’s message but each and every one of you are defenders of the party and, therefore, you must arm yourself with every aspect and information of this party.”
Rio further pointed out that to understand media as today’s central part of a political party in every aspect, the NDPP will need to constantly formulate strategies and policies that have active use of media in achieving their goals.
“We can say without a doubt that our media plan and strategy played a contributory role in our victory and thereby, ensuring where we are today. The conduct of this workshop-cum-seminar is another sign that we are making all-out efforts to stay ahead of the game, and I am sure we will reap tremendous benefits from this unique programme,” he shared.