Reyivolü (Ayivo) Rhakho of Eastern Mirror was conferred the Kohima Press Club Impact Journalism Award 2025 on the occasion of National Press Day in Kohima on November 16.
Instituted by the Kohima Press Club (KPC) in 2020, the annual Impact Journalism Award is the only award in Nagaland that is given to journalists in recognition of their professional work.
KPC president Alice Yhoshü highlighted that the award acknowledges the exceptional contributions of media professionals- to motivate and encourage them to continue pursuing quality journalism while promoting social justice. Rhakho’s work in the past one year, covering a wide range of subjects- from sports to courts, from highlighting stories in the socio-economic sector to balancing the use of artificial intelligence, from gender-related features to sustainable agricultural practices, from covering music and entertainment to politics, and slogging the crime beat as well, has been exceptional and earned her the award, Yhoshü said.
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“She (Rhakho) is quiet, friendly, compassionate and humble as a person, but professionally, she is known to be a strict stickler for accuracy, persistence and objectivity. Her work exemplifies that of Nagaland journalists in general. We don’t have a specific beat; we can’t afford to specialise in a single topic- mainly due to shortage of manpower. However, Ayivo’s work in the past year, covering a multiple range of topics, going out of her way traveling to remote areas to deliver comprehensive, objective and accurate first-hand gathered information and reportage, have stood out as ‘the best of us’!” KPC president stated.
Rhakho, in her brief speech, acknowledged the Press Club for the recognition. “It is an honor for me to be standing here and receive the Kohima Press Club Impact Journalism Award for the year 2025. It’s a matter of great joy and encouragement. Seven years into this field, and I’ve never felt this assured and validated telling stories of our people,” she said.
She candidly concurred with the fact that media houses in Nagaland are short-staffed and do not have the luxury of hiring a lot of reporters for a specific beat, and reporters end up covering every topic in tight deadlines.
“It requires a lot of courage, passion and determination to stay in this profession,” Rhakho remarked. However, looking back, she said she is grateful for the experience and learning it gave her.
“It has taught me so much and greatly shaped my outlook on things happening around us and the people around us. Most importantly, for being able to stand here in front of you all today and humbly accepting this award,” she stated.
Rhakho expressed gratitude to her editor and colleagues for providing her with the support and guidance, her family members for the sacrifices made when she could not be around at home, friends and colleagues, and to the profession of journalism itself.
“What we do in this small part of the region may go noticed or even unnoticed by the world. But it’s important we keep telling stories of our people and get it out there because they matter – if not to the world – definitely to ourselves,” she added.
