The Assam Tribune is my boyhood companion. As a child I was lured by File photo: Former Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Indira Gandhi addressing the Silver Jubilee function of The Assam Tribune in New Delhi. Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and founder proprietor RG Baruah are also seen.the last page comprising the sports activities. The sports page of the Hindustan Standard (now defunct), from Calcutta was more fascinating since it liberally displayed the photographs of Bradman, Hasset, Miller-Hutton, Compton, etc. The old shining face of The Assam Tribune is still my companion.

This newspaper has played and is proudly playing a sedate innings, trying its utmost to maintain the balance. The news of the Chinese attack on Longju (in the then NEFA) was brought to the light of the world by this newspaper at the first instance. The late Hem Baruah, one of the front ranking MPs of all time, liberally used to refer in his speech to the news item from The Assam Tribune whenever he used to mention any event of then Assam.

I heartily congratulate The Assam Tribune on completing 70 years. You have lived more than

1/5th of the total life of the press – since this very inception of the press in this world is less than 300 years. Freedom of Press is the essence of democracy. Without which it cannot exist. To maximize readership disregarding the higher value should not be the prime object.

– Justice (retd) Dhiresh Narayan Chowdhury, Guwahati

At present, it is unfortunate that both the judiciary and the press have come under the same cloud. Elaborate discussions are going on in the media. Though Freedom of Speech and Expression, including the freedom of the press, has been guaranteed by the Constitution of India there are some restrictions imposed by the Constitution itself. It appears that The Assam Tribune is quite conscious of such restrictions and hence presentation of news in The Assam Tribune has been restrained. Such news are acceptable to the citizens and this also helps to maintain the credibility of the newspaper.

– Pachu Gopal Boruah, former Advocate General of Assam

I have been reading The Assam Tribune since that time when it was a weekly paper and what is important is the unbiased reporting that imparts a certain position among all other newspapers in the state. But still there is scope to improve the quality of the paper. For example, the paper should encourage investigative reporting.

– Sailendu Nath Phukan, Former Judge, Supreme Court, Jorhat

The Assam Tribune is one of the best newspaper in NE region, most neutral, non aggravating and mostly encompass column for students, information oriented and keeps a standard of language. Many more changes could unnecessarily make it artificial.

– Sri Reo Reoa Narzihary, Speaker, BTC Assembly, Kokrajhar

What I feel about The Assam Tribune is that the paper is loyal to journalistic ethics and principles, while some of the newspapers in the state publish certain news items in an exaggerated and sensational way, possibly to increase their circulation; The Assam Tribune adheres to objective reporting. The greatest asset of the paper is its credibility.

– Prafulla Rajguru, President, Jorhat Press Club

No major heartburn issues, I just love the paper because it has its roots in Dibrugarh. Its news coverage is very reliable. However, quality of printing and paper quality have to be improved to take it to levels of competing national dailies. I want more pages, more content and more local news from all over Assam in The Assam Tribune. – Chandra Kanta Baruah, Chairman, Dibrugarh Municipal Board

As a reader and a responsible citizen of historic and culturally rich Tezpur town at first I would sincerely like to express my deep sense of appreciation to the management and the editorial staff of the esteemed daily The Assam Tribune for playing positive role towards Tezpur touching each and every problem since it’s inception.

– Meena Agarwala, Tezpur

On this special day I congratulate all rank and file of the publication house for succeeding in catering to the people of the North-east in general and Assam in particular, by maintaining the high standards of journalism set by the pioneers of the daily. The best part of the daily is it has been able to maintain its own identity by providing only the correct facts without getting tempted to go for sensational journalism.

– Deba Kumar Bora, Press Advisor to Chief Minister, Assam

Beyond spawning a rising readership, it carries out the onerous task of grooming a rich crop of English language journalists and writers using indigenous human resources. The hallmark of the newspaper is its sensibly well-balanced, unbiased and truthful reporting, content quality and analysis, even under conditions of mounting stress, turmoil and public mayhem.

– Prof Dulal C. Goswami, Environmental scientist

The quality of paper needs improvement. The structure of the front page needs improvement keeping with the improvement made by the national and International news papers. The quality of photographs printed needs further improvement. Secondly, separate pages may be used for publishing classified advertisements to generate more interest of the news readers.

– Utpal Borah, Resident Chief Executive, Oil India Limited, Duliajan

I trust the newspaper for its neutral news content. Its authentic and balanced news have impressed me. Today I feel there is a need to improve its science content so that it could enlighten our youth. The paper has to go beyond focusing on spectacular events in science. A sincere and sustained effort has to be made in this regard.

– Arup Kr Misra, Academic and science communicator

Lord John Charls Reith who was the first Director General of the prestigious Bbritish Broadcasting Corporation BBC in short – in his inaugural speech defined what should be the aim of the media with these historical and farsighted words-“the media must educate, inform and entertain the population”. Which the BBC is following religiously till date. In Assam- The Assam Tribune – the oldest English daily of North-East India is following the motto of the BBC in letter and spirit. It educates us, informs us what is happening around us, nationally and globally and entertain us.

– Dr Lakshmi Goswami, Tezpur

The paper should be livelier, have local content with a local theme and even local cartoons instead of syndicated international Dennis The Menace types. Indian story-line based cartoons would give the paper a fresh character.

– Sasanka Dev Phukan, Dibrugarh

The newspaper should publish interviews or stories of former players of national or international repute of the entire NE region so that the present generation knows them properly. ‘Now all the NE states are making tremendous progress almost in all sports. In football, women boxing etc players from this region are earning national and international fame. So all the players and even the organizers should be encouraged by publishing news items about them’.

– Rajesh Bora, Junior National Cricket selector

To me The Assam Tribune is the backbone of Assam and ushering in an era of peace and prosperity. For the last several decades The Assam Tribune has kept its glorious tradition of news and views. This English daily is very dear to us and in the breakfast table a copy of The Assam Tribune is a must.

– Suren Ram Phookun, Guwahati

I like it because it gives a lot of informations from Page 1 to the last page, including economics, commerce, business, sports, agriculture, national and international affairs, literature, arts, theatre, commentaries on burning issues and last not the least the judicious, meaningful and readable editorials in all weekdays.

– Hemen Gogoi, Retd Principal, North Lakhimpur College

There is always scope for development. Immediately two things are coming to mind; firstly, the paper can have a regular column on the topic, “People of North East and their Culture”, Secondly I expect more news and other information on news developments from the fields of science and technology. And thirdly, it would also be appreciable if a weekly booklet preferably on Sunday can be published.

– Dr Kalyan Baruah, Principal, Naharkatia College, Naharkatia

I have great regard for The Assam Tribune, as it has reflected the wishes and aspirations of the people of Assam for several decades. Its impartial and unbiased reporting has made it a credible opinion builder. Among its positive qualities is its emphasis on facts or news, instead of carrying mere views.

– Ramen Deka President, State BJP

Now The Assam Tribune covers almost all sports which has been able to satisfy all kinds of sports loving readers. The newspaper should add some columns for the youngsters, which can encourage them in taking up sports seriously. Youngsters should be made aware about the facilities available in the State at present and encourage them in taking the advantage of the infrastructure so that they can build their career through sports.

– Sushan Das Choudhury, Former national tennis champion

Writers here like Dr HK Goswami, Sri Dhruva Hazarika, the Indo-Anglian writer etc have lauded the paper for its veracity and impartiality. Down memory lane, there has been no defamatory suit against it over the years. It is found that the paper does not indulge in proddings in terms of yellow journalism. People appreciate that the paper gives news and not views with quality edging over quantity. Articles on global warming, women empowerment, HIV, child care in this paper are simply brilliant.

– Mahendra Prasad Barooah, Correspondent, Mangaldoi

The news that are covered by The Assam Tribune should be shorter and I also suggest that the newspaper stop the tradition of continuing news story from the first page to inside pages. I, too, like this paper for the annual calendar with trade mark of Tribune Building which I have seen for the last 27 years.

– SM Alfarid Hussain Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mass Communication Assam University, Silchar