Dear readers and friends, we are extremely glad to inform you that The Frontier Manipur (TFM) is one year ‘young’ today. And there are reasons to not only celebrate but also express our gratitude to all our well-wishers and supporters who had stood by us in our humble effort to bring news and views to the public while not compromising with the set objectives and values of the online news portal.
The Frontier Manipur (TFM) was born at the midnight hour of August 14, 2020 with multiple issues and predicaments hanging over our heads like a gigantic cob-web. All along we knew the journey ahead would not be easy and smooth. However, from the very outset, our mission and the set objectives were crystal clear. And this was what kept us together as a team. Moreover, we knew that there was a colossal gap to be bridged in the way how news and information are being circulated in Manipur. Blessed with technological advancement and burdened by a near-total distortion of political realities, we made no mistake in reaffirming that all citizens have the right to know about key decisions that affect them. As we embarked on our journey, there were attempts to dampen our spirit using redundant tactics as old as the earth and the skies.
As stated exactly one year ago, we still hold on to our resolve to raise social, political, economic, and relevant issues in Manipur, its neighbouring states, and beyond with well researched and investigative articles, comprehensive reportage, and coverage in our online platforms.
TFM will strive to identify common issues that have become stumbling blocks along people’s path to collective development. And we firmly believe in journalism of courage and amplification of voices from the margins.
KEY MOMENTS IN THE LAST ONE YEAR
August 14, 2020
The Frontier Manipur launched.
September 20, 2020
TFM associate editor Kishorechand Wangkhem was arrested on September 20 for his Facebook post. On September 3, he had posted about an online dispute between the wife of a state government minister and another woman. The police arrested him on charges of sedition, criminal intimidation and “promoting enmity between different groups” under articles 124, 154 and 503 of India’s penal code.
January 17, 2021
On January 8, TFM published “Revolutionary Journey In A Mess”, an article by M Joy Luwang criticizing “armed revolutionary groups” in the state for straying from their “revolutionary cause”.
The police took suo motu cognisance and filed an FIR naming the author and two senior editors of TFM, accusing them of criminal conspiracy, causing alarm to induce offence against the state and supporting terror organisations. Editor-in-chief Dhiren A Sadokpam and executive editor Paojel Chaoba were subsequently arrested under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA on January 17. They were released the next day.
February 19, 2021
Breach of Privilege and Contempt of the House notice served on the editor of The Frontier Manipur No. 3/9(1)/2017-LA (Legn.) Imphal, the February 19, 2021 for publishing a news item headlined “State has no say regarding AFSPA, it is under the purview of union govt, says CM Biren”. The news item was published based on a press release forwarded by the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Manipur.
March 1, 2021
On March 1, Paojel Chaoba received a notice from the Manipur government under the Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. This was the first time that a notice has been issued under the new guidelines that the Centre announced on February 25.
The notice was issued for an online discussion that was held and uploaded on the Facebook page of The Frontier Manipur, on February 28. The discussion was on the new rules for digital media platforms, and titled “Media Under Siege: Are Journalists Walking a Tight Rope.”
May 13, 2021
On May 13, Kishorchanddra Wangkhem along with an activist, Leichombam Erendro, were arrested for Facebook posts expressing their opinion of Corona. Both of them were slapped with the stringent NSA after a local court had granted bail. Both of them were released after languishing in jail for more than two months after the Supreme Court intervened. Kishorchandra was released after the High Court of Manipur’s order on July 23, 2021.
August 5, 2021
On August 5, 2021, TFM news portal remained inaccessible. Based on a complaint lodged by one Peter Lawel with the mailing address – 94 Jamal Abul Naser, Dubai – 91373 AE, we were wrongly targeted for copyright infringement action under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), a 1998 United States copyright law. A takedown notice was served on the host of The Frontier Manipur website for Copyright Infringement.