Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism

Interrogating Banality: The Role of Media in the Peace Process of Nagaland

Abstract

Roy S and Narula S

Media plays a vital role in conflict situation. North East in general and Nagaland in particular feel a sense of alienation when it comes for news reporting. Several peace talks have always attracted the attention in the academic discourse but remain untouched in the media discourse. Being considered as the fourth pillar of democracy, media has an active role in peace building process. Nonetheless while implementing the role of media in the North East setting, particularly in Nagaland, a sense of banality is found in reporting. The regional media in Nagaland is at its infancy. The press primarily has been and remains to be the most popular means of communication. Being a conflict ridden region since independence, Nagaland needs more focus and effort on peace journalism. Media as known can work both ways that is to ignite violence, conflict and to settle peace and normalcy. The present study aims to explore with a theoretical perspective that what lead to banality and how does it provokes in conflict and also tries to way out some alternatives for the role of media in the peace process of Nagaland.