Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 22: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today said that the alleged harassment of a journalist in Kashmir was “unfortunate,” accusing the National Conference (NC) government of remaining silent as pressure on the media increases in the region.
Expressing what she calls serious concern, Mufti alleges that journalists in Kashmir are working under “extreme pressure” and facing continuous harassment, with the media being “systematically silenced” despite its crucial role in a democracy.
Speaking on the issue in Srinagar, she said the accreditation process has “virtually stalled” and that even senior and widely respected journalists were being intimidated. “I am surprised that despite understanding the importance of the media, the present government is maintaining silence. Today, only selected media voices are left in Kashmir, and even those are being suppressed,” she said.
The PDP chief further alleged that journalists were unable to express themselves freely, including on social media platforms. “We cannot even post anything on social media. This situation is deeply worrying,” she said.
Referring to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mufti questioned why concerns related to press freedom were not raised. “Is it not the responsibility of the Chief Minister to raise these concerns with the Home Minister?” she asked.
Raising concerns about small and independent media platforms, she warned that if well-known journalists were being harassed, the future of those running smaller portals was uncertain. “If respected journalists are facing this, who will listen to people running small portals?” she asked.
The PDP president urged the Chief Minister to intervene and address the issues faced by journalists in the region, stressing that “a free and fearless press is essential for democracy.”
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