Shillong, Oct 15: South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Richard Yanthan has clarified that action of the district administration of South Garo Hills in summoning youtuber Tatu Marak is not to subvert the voices of independent media reporting.
Full statement of the DC below
Apropos a recent news item that appeared in certain sections of the media in which the Garo Hills Press and Media Association (GHMPA) had condemned the alleged interference of the District Administration of South Hills in the functioning of an independent media, in relation to a summon issued to a YouTuber, Tatu Marak, it is hereby stated that the summons issued to Tatu Marak is to seek clarification from the said YouTuber on his recent news report on flood relief in affected areas under Chokpot C&RD block, South Garo Hills District. Tatu Marak presented a very one sided story by interviewing affected individuals but did not seek any clarification from the Government officials or the District Administration to corroborate the statements given by the people who were interviewed. The statements given by the individuals uploaded in the YouTube channel ‘NEIG NEWS’, does not concur with the efforts on ground and as such it undermined the effort of the Government and efforts of the District Administration and also questioned the sincerity of the Government machinery in providing succour to the people of the affected areas at the time of such natural calamity of devastating scale. It is hereby reiterated that the action of the District Administration of South Garo Hills in summoning Tatu Marak is not to subvert the voices of independent media reporting, but rather, following the principles of natural justice, the opportunity was given to Tatu Marak to further clarify on his actions, which at the time had caused great distress and confusion to the ongoing relief efforts and seriously undermined the hard work of the people on ground.
(Richard Yanthan, IAS)
Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills, Baghmara.
