Curtains drawn on Nagaland’s second English news daily after a 25-year run

January 8, 2025 5 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 8

Nagaland’s second English daily newspaper, Nagaland Page has decided to draw the curtains after a 25- year long marathon. The founder and editor, Monalisa Changkija made the announcement at a press conference in Dimapur on January 7. The paper had its last run on December 21, 2024.

Changkija cited financial and personal reasons to put the locks on the tabloid-size, black and white newspaper she founded in May 1999. “The reasons are financial and personal… Nagaland Page was never on a strong financial footing right from the beginning, but somehow we managed for over twenty-five years mostly on love and fresh air,” she said.

Love and fresh air alone, however, is not enough, she added. She termed the decision to shut “a tough call,” but one that had to be made. While it is not mandatory to publicly announce the folding of any newspaper, she said that she felt the need to make the announcement given her presence in the public space as a journalist for almost 4 decades.

“Besides, I wouldn’t like anyone to think that I have slunk off like a coward. Mine is not the first paper to fold nor will it be the last,” said Changkija.

She said that she wanted to take the opportunity to convey thanks to all the people who have been with, and integral to, Nagaland Page. She said, “I cannot ever adequately thank my team, the Page Family, who stuck with me and borne with me through thick and thin from day one.”

According to her, the closure of Nagaland Page would be an end of one era but the media in Nagaland will continue to grow from strength to strength with newer and better institutions taking its place.

On the prospect of ownership changing hands, she said that some people have shown interest but it has not gone beyond that. She ruled out an online edition.

“I would definitely want the brand (Nagaland Page) to continue.” But sustaining brands need financial support, she added.

Further, she said that she is not getting any younger, and has to consider her health situation, as well.

But it is not the end of the road for Changkija, the journalist, who is known for hard-hitting journalistic work and commentaries.

While the paper may have folded, she asserted that she will remain a journalist and continue pursuing her creative side as a writer-poet. “In the process, I will probably make some people unhappy,” she quipped.

She added, “I was a journalist, I became a newspaper owner and now I’m going back to become a journalist again.”