14 Oct : A new weekly TV programme entitled ‘Encounter’, was launched today the 14th October 2008 at NBCC office conference hall. Executive Producer, Highland Dawn Media (HDM) Wabang Moa informed the programme is being slotted for regular telecast on Doordarshan Kohima at 6:30 to 7 p.m. slot every Thursday by HDM along with Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC).
Wabang said that the new TV programme aims to reach out to viewers with positive programme and will also highlight activities of NBCC incorporating a weekly feature of NBCC’s different departments, goals, activities and vision. The Education and Communication department of NBCC is closely associated with the programme, he informed. Stating that media has immense potential towards building positive attitudes and changing the negative mindset of people, Wabang called upon the media people to be creative in constructive use of the powerful tool. He also said that HDM plans to invite media persons to the studio for a talk show for discussion and debate on the need to work towards changing assimilated negative attitudes and to learn to anticipate, plan and point towards a brighter future. He further said that ‘Encounter’ will endeavour to discuss and address social issues relevant to people of Nagaland and also attempt to incorporate positive guidelines for individual to a meaningful and productive life. Each weekly episode of ‘Encounter’ will have the following segments: (a) NBCC features (b) music or indigenous cultural items (c) features on, and discussion of relevant social issues in Nagaland.
Reflecting on the powerful effect of media (both electronic and print) in the society General Secretary, NBCC, Rev. Zhabu Terhüja while exhorting the gathering said, ‘Media not only influence our culture but they are our culture’. He further said that pulpit ministry reaches hardly 10% of the people whereas media reaches almost every home. He called upon the churches irrespective of denominations to share testimonies, record songs, dramas, etc. from HDM to further glorify the kingdom of God. ‘Through this programme God will let us see things in a different and right perspective’, he concluded.
Welcome address and introduction was given by Evangeline Odyuo. Preview of ‘Encounter’ (9 minutes) was also screened during the inaugural programme.