ISSN: 2321-8819 (Online) 2 348-7186 (Print) Impact Factor: 1. 498 Vol. 5, Issue 5 , May 2017 129 Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 5(5) May, 2017 Growth and Development of Community Media in Manipur: A Historical Account of Vernacular Newspapers Haoginlen Chongloi PhD Candidate, Department of Mass Communication, Manipur University, Imphal Abstract: Community media was not a subject of importance nor did academicians take up the matter with seriousness till 1960s. Though community media exists and function prior to that, the concept become a matter of concern with the Bolivian crisis where miners used to propagate their agenda against the government, seriously influencing the local community of the area. Since then concept of community media begins to attain recognition as an important communication strategy. In a diverse and complex society like the northeast India, the role of community media is gaining more important than ever. Owing to the geographical location, lack of infrastructure development and high illiteracy rate, mainstream media and the ICT at most of the times remain useless in many parts of the region. In such situation, community media with vernacular medium fills the void and serves the reading needs of the growing population. The paper deals on the growth of vernacular community media of different community settling in the present state of Manipur in the northeast India. Keywords: Manipur, Print media, colonial government on press development, community media, vernacular newspapers. INTRODUCTION Media is the collective communication outlets or tools that are used to store and deliver information or data to the targeted audience. In general, "media" refers to various means of communication. For example, television, radio, and the newspaper are different types of media. The term can also be used as a collective noun for the press or news reporting agencies. In the ICT world, ‘media’ is also used as a collective noun, but refers to different types of data storage and delivery options. 1. Publishing Media The publishing media is the oldest form of mass media. This media includes books, news papers and magazine. The concept of books is not new. It is believed that the first ever book in the world was printed in 1455 when Johannes Gutenberg printed the first Bible with his printing machine in Mainz, Germany1. Though it was the first book to be officially published, many historians claim that books has been released way before this time. 1 Streissguth, T. (1997). Johann Gutenberg and the Printing Press. Communications: Sending the Message. Claims of earlier publication in China and Korea have surfaced in some research works too. Amongst all kinds of publications, one of the most professionally developed media is the newspaper. They were developed during the 17 th century in England, and by the 19 th century it begins to be recognized as the most effective means of communication mankind ever introduced around the globe. 2. Broadcasting Media The broadcasting media can be broadly classified into radio and television. These two media are probably the most innovative inventions of the 20 th century. The invention of radio by Guglielmo Marconi in 1896 changed the face of the earth forever. Though in its initial stage it doesn’t gain public importance, today it is recognized as one of the most effective means of communicating large masses of a large geographical area instantly. People could now hear news from around the world while sitting at their homes. This has eventually ensured the transformation and sharing of knowledge from one geographical location to the other. Whereas radio initiated the concept of audio mass communication, television revolutionized the visual form of communication. Now people could not only hear the news but they could also see it. With the involvement of more senses reliability and acceptance of information has been increased considerably. Although drama and plays had been popular even before the concept of any particular mass media, they were revolutionized into movies, films, serials to be displayed on TV. The incorporation of technology into traditional drama and plays has added the taste of this particular media. News channels cover a story and an event within seconds of their occurring, keeping people updated minute by minute details of all the important events occurring in the world. In this manner, broadcast media not only informs the daily happenings around the globe but also educates, entertain, motivates and creates awareness amongst the population by airing quality programme for the public.