Strengthening the Fourth Pillar, Not Shaping Its Voice

YouganTamang,

A vibrant democracy depends upon the strength and independence of its institutions, and among them the press occupies a place of profound importance. Journalism not only informs citizens but also shapes public discourse, raises critical questions, and ensures that governance remains transparent and accountable. While the freedom of the press is constitutionally guaranteed in India, nurturing a healthy media ecosystem requires more than legal protection. It requires a climate of respect, institutional support, and a shared understanding that the media must operate freely and responsibly.

In Sikkim, this principle has found meaningful expression through a series of initiatives undertaken by the Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, who also holds the portfolio of the Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Sikkim. The approach adopted by the state has been clear: the government’s role is not to influence or interfere with journalism, but to ensure that the institutional conditions necessary for a free, professional, and secure press continue to grow stronger.

Since assuming office in 2019, the Chief Minister has consistently emphasised that a free and independent press remains a cornerstone of democratic society. His government has therefore sought to create an environment where journalists can carry out their work with dignity, security, and professional recognition while maintaining editorial independence. The objective has been to strengthen the fourth pillar of democracy, not to shape its voice.

One of the earliest steps taken by the government reflected this understanding. For nearly two decades, the Press Club of Sikkim had operated without a permanent institutional space despite playing an important role in the development of journalism in the state. Recognising the importance of providing journalists with a professional platform for dialogue, training, and collaboration, the government handed over the official documents for the Press Club Bhawan in November 2019. The building was formally inaugurated in December 2020, marking a significant milestone in the institutional development of the press in Sikkim.

The government also extended logistical support by providing a 17-seater vehicle to the Press Club in July 2023, enabling journalists to travel and report from different parts of the state with greater ease. Such support has helped improve accessibility and coverage while strengthening the operational capacity of the press fraternity.

Equally significant was the government’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when journalists continued to work in difficult circumstances to keep the public informed, the State Cabinet took the unprecedented step of recognising journalists as frontline workers. This decision ensured that media personnel received early access to vaccination and essential health safeguards, acknowledging the risks they undertook in the public interest.

The state has also taken notable steps to address the welfare and long-term security of journalists. In 2024, more than ninety accredited journalists were brought under a state-supported health insurance scheme providing access to medical services at CRH Manipal. This initiative placed Sikkim among the few states in India to extend such health security to members of the press community.

Recognising the contributions of senior journalists who have dedicated their lives to the profession, the government introduced the ‘PatrakarSammanYojana’, a pension initiative designed to support retired media professionals. The scheme is supported by an annual grant of Rs20 lakhs, ensuring financial assistance and dignity for veteran journalists who have served the state’s media landscape over decades. In addition, an annual grant of Rs5 lakhs continues to be provided to the Press Club of Sikkim to support its operational and professional activities.

Alongside welfare initiatives, the Information and Public Relations Department has played a key role in recognising journalistic excellence and encouraging high professional standards. A number of awards have been instituted or enhanced to honour reporting that contributes meaningfully to public discourse. Among these are the TeestaRangeetAviralKalamPuraskara, the Chief Minister’s Awards for reporting on Climate Change, Women’s Issues, and Human Rights, and the strengthened KanchendzongaKalamPuraskar and LagansheelYuwaPatrakarPuraskar. Long-standing recognitions such as the KashirajPradhan Lifetime Journalism Award and the Y. N. Bhandari Best Journalism Award continue to celebrate excellence and integrity in journalism.

The government has also been attentive to the evolving nature of media in the digital age. Work is currently underway on a Digital Media Policy aimed at supporting emerging digital platforms and encouraging responsible media entrepreneurship within the state. By recognising the growing role of digital journalism, the policy seeks to ensure that the media ecosystem in Sikkim remains relevant, dynamic, and sustainable in the years ahead.

Efforts have also been made to streamline accreditation procedures through the Information and Public Relations Department. Improved accreditation processes have allowed journalists to access national institutions and official events more easily, strengthening professional mobility and recognition for media professionals from the state.

Beyond policies and institutional support, the government has also demonstrated empathy towards journalists facing personal challenges. On several occasions, assistance has been extended to media professionals experiencing serious health crises or family hardship, reflecting a humane and responsive approach to governance.

A significant moment reflecting the state’s respect for the press came during the Sikkim@50 Golden Jubilee Conclave held in May 2025. Organised jointly by the Press Club of Sikkim and the Information and Public Relations Department, the conclave brought together senior journalists, scholars, and policymakers to reflect on the evolution of journalism and governance in Sikkim over the past fifty years. It served as both a celebration of the past and a reaffirmation of the state’s commitment to a free and responsible press.

What emerges from these initiatives is a distinct philosophy of governance. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, the Government of Sikkim has sought to build a collaborative yet respectful relationship with the media- one that recognises the independence of journalism while ensuring that the press fraternity receives the institutional support it deserves.

A strong democracy depends not only on institutions of power but also on institutions of accountability. By investing in the well-being, recognition, and professional development of journalists, the state has taken steps to ensure that the fourth pillar of democracy remains vibrant and resilient.

In Sikkim, the effort to strengthen the media ecosystem is therefore not about influence, but about empowerment. It reflects the Chief Minister’s belief that when journalism thrives freely and responsibly, democracy itself grows stronger.

The Government of Sikkim under the leadership of Prem Singh Tamang-Golay remains committed to further strengthening this environment by continuing to extend institutional support to the media fraternity while fully respecting its independence. In the days ahead, the government will remain open to working in close coordination with the Press Club of Sikkim and other media organisations to address emerging challenges and requirements faced by journalists in the state.

Efforts will also continue towards providing exposure programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and professional training opportunities for young and upcoming journalists. Such initiatives aim to equip the next generation of media professionals with the skills, knowledge, and ethical grounding necessary to uphold the values of responsible journalism. Through these measures, the government seeks to nurture a stronger, more resilient media ecosystem that contributes meaningfully to public discourse and the democratic spirit of Sikkim.