Manipur Government’s Deafening Silence Deepens Crisis of Press Freedom

It has now been over 2 weeks since the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) launched their black badge protest, demanding justice over the disgraceful obstruction of journalists at Gwaltabi after suspension of the boycott of government news. As the state government continues its calculated silence, the journalists’ fraternity remains in a state of justified outrage — not just over the original offence, but over the inexcusable lack of accountability and response from those in power.
We had earlier raised critical concerns in this space regarding the Gwaltabi incident, where journalists travelling in an official bus to cover a state-sponsored festival were not only stopped multiple times by security personnel but were also ordered to hide the word “Manipur” printed on their vehicle. This act was not a minor procedural misstep. It was a deeply symbolic gesture — one that stripped the media of its dignity, stripped the state of its credibility, and made clear the level of mistrust the security apparatus appears to harbour even towards press representatives invited by the government itself.
It was hoped that the Manipur government would respond swiftly, acknowledging the seriousness of the matter and reassuring the press and public that such authoritarian conduct has no place in a democracy. Instead, what followed was a stunning silence — a silence that now speaks louder than the original incident itself.
The continuing protest by AMWJU and EGM, now entering its second week, is not a mere symbolic campaign. It is a sustained expression of resistance against a pattern of suppression. The black badges worn by journalists and the weekly slogans — this week’s being “Journalists deserve justice, not silence” — are more than expressions of grievance; they are warnings. They warn of the consequences of eroding the fourth pillar of democracy. They warn of what happens when the watchdogs of society are treated as enemies of the state.
That the Gwaltabi incident took place during a festival meant to showcase Manipur’s beauty, culture and harmony to the world, only sharpens the irony. What should have been an occasion to project openness and unity instead exposed the deep institutional distrust and authoritarian impulses that threaten to suffocate freedom of expression in the state.
It is telling that even after a formal memorandum was submitted to the Governor seeking an impartial inquiry, no concrete steps have followed. There has been no investigation, no reprimand of the officials involved, no apology, and no acknowledgement of wrongdoing. This lack of response cannot be dismissed as bureaucratic delay. It is, by all indications, a deliberate strategy to wait out the protest, hoping that public attention will wane.
But what the government fails to realise is that this protest is not just about one incident at one checkpoint. It is about an ongoing crisis in governance — where press freedom is becoming collateral damage in a conflict-ridden state. It is about the growing culture of impunity in uniformed behaviour, about the shrinking democratic space for dissent and scrutiny.
The AMWJU and EGM must be commended for standing their ground with principled restraint and unwavering commitment to press ethics, even while being subjected to repeated humiliation. Their protest is a call not only to the state but to the broader public to wake up to the threats facing a free and independent press in Manipur.
Justice delayed, in this case, is not just justice denied — it is justice deliberately suppressed. If the government of Manipur continues to ignore the legitimate demands of its press, it risks not just losing the trust of journalists but undermining the very foundations of democratic accountability in the state.
It is time for the government to act decisively. Until then, the black badges remain — not just as protest, but as indictment.