Senior Reporter of The Shillong Times, Lamphrangbor Nongspung accounts for his journey of two decades on World Press Freedom Day.

When I began my journey in journalism in the early 2000s, the media landscape was vastly different from what we see today.

Newsrooms were smaller, resources were limited, and technology had not yet transformed the way stories were gathered and shared. Today, especially in the era of social media, everything happens much faster. There is hardly any leisure time as there used to be earlier, when reporters would gather news during the day and return to the office to file their reports.
For journalists like us, adapting to these changing patterns at a later stage of our careers has not been easy. Today, we are expected to shoot videos on our own, something that was not the case earlier. I started as a translator at the Khasi daily Mawphor, never imagining that journalism would become my lifelong profession.
Those early years were defined by learning, mentorship, and adaptation. Encouraged by my editor, I moved into field reporting-a shift that exposed me to seasoned journalists who shaped my understanding of the profession.Reporting then required patience and resilience. Photographs were developed in dark rooms, often requiring multiple attempts.
Journalism during that time also meant working under pressure. Shillong was grappling with militancy, with the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) active in the region. Press vehicles were attacked, and reporters often worked in uncertain conditions. Yet, there was a distinct sense of fearlessness among journalists. They were uncompromising in their commitment to truth, even at personal risk.
Some paid a heavy price like detentions, threats, and isolation. But they upheld the core principle that journalism exists to serve the public. They understood that the press is not merely an observer but a watchdog, holding power accountable.
Over the years, the profession has evolved. Technology has simplified reporting, access to information has increased, and the media ecosystem has expanded. However, new challenges have emerged. The relationship between journalists and those in power has become more complex. Maintaining access often means navigating delicate balances, and the cost of critical reporting can be professional isolation.
From personal experience, consistently reporting against those in authority can lead to being sidelined. Sources may withdraw, calls may go unanswered, and professional networks may shrink. This creates a dilemma whether to uphold journalistic ethics at all costs or to adapt in order to retain access. But this is precisely where the essence of press freedom lies.
Press freedom is not just about the ability to publish. It is about the courage to report truthfully without fear or favour. It is about ensuring that journalists can question authority, expose wrongdoing, and inform citizens without censorship or intimidation.
Today, this freedom is increasingly under strain not only in distant conflict zones but also in democratic societies. Across the world, journalists face arrests, harassment, and even violence for doing their job. The global environment reflects a troubling trend where attempts to control narratives are becoming more pronounced.
Even in conflict zones, journalists are paying with their lives, reminding us that truth-telling can be a dangerous pursuit. In this broader context, Meghalaya still offers a relatively open space for journalism. Reporters can write, question, and investigate without the overt restrictions seen elsewhere. This is a strength that must be preserved.
However, challenges remain closer to home. Issues such as alleged illegal coal mining in parts of Jaintia Hills highlight the complexities journalists face. The reluctance of local reporters to openly pursue such stories raises difficult questions-about safety, livelihood dependencies, and the influence of powerful interests. In such situations, the role of independent oversight bodies, such as the Justice BP Katakey Committee, becomes crucial. Yet, the absence of consistent on-ground reporting underscores the need to strengthen journalistic independence and protection.
Ultimately, press freedom is not just a privilege for journalists as it is a right of the people. A free press ensures that citizens are informed, that governance remains transparent, and that democracy functions effectively.
As members of the fourth estate, journalists are the eyes and ears of society. Their responsibility is to present facts, even when those facts are uncomfortable or unpopular. This responsibility demands integrity, courage, and, above all, freedom.
On this World Press Freedom Day, the question is not whether press freedom exists but whether it is being protected, nurtured, and exercised with responsibility.