Tribal student groups in Manipur, including the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) and Hmar Students’ Association (HSA), have issued a joint statement condemning valley-based media outlets for allegedly publishing “fake and one-sided news” regarding the Manipur violence.
In the statement, the tribal student organizations express their strong condemnation of valley-based media outlets, particularly The Sangai Express and ISTV, accusing them of violating media ethics and spreading fake news while suppressing the voices of the tribal communities. As a response to what they perceive as biased news, they declare a ban on all valley-based media outlets and urge the public to report any instances of their presence in tribal lands. They argue that valley-based media has become a propaganda machine for the state government.
Additionally, the student organizations criticize a regional news channel from Assam for publishing biased news about the Manipur crisis. They express concern over the deliberate omission of content critical of the state government and call on the news outlet to uphold the principles of journalism and represent all voices impartially.
