Kohima: Public Prosecutor Temsunaro Jamir warned journalists in Dimapur on September 22 to sharpen their legal accuracy and sensitivity. Speaking at a PIB Kohima workshop at Hotel Saramati, Jamir addressed the legal pitfalls of defamation and the ethics of reporting on criminal cases. She noted that defamation involves intentional, false statements that harm a reputation. It can carry prison time under Section 356 of the BNS.
Journalists must remain bold. Jamir advised reporters to maintain independence despite the threat of suits. "Yes, there will be defamation suits, no need to worry as long as you’re doing your job," she said. She cautioned against media-driven parallel trials. Reporters must also protect the identities of minors involved in cases under the POCSO Act. Keeping clear records is essential for any legal defense.
Kihika Chishi, an officer at the Cyber Crime Police Station, shifted the focus to the state's digital security. He reported that most cyber crime in Nagaland centers on financial fraud, scams, and impersonation. Scammers rely on phishing, smishing, and social engineering to steal money. He warned that public overconfidence remains a major vulnerability. "Cyber crime does not always begin with sophisticated technology," Chishi said. "It starts with one careless click or one shared OTP, one weak password."
Time is of the essence. Victims should call 1930 immediately or use the cybercrime.gov.in portal. Chishi identified the first hour after an incident as the golden hour for investigators. He also promoted preventative tools like the Chakshu portal and MHA’s CyberDost platform. Dimapur Press Club President Henlly Phom Odyuo called for better information flow between police and the media to help journalists verify facts while avoiding legal liability.
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