Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 10: The Kashmir Press Club (KPC) today asked the Government to stop practice of harassing journalists and expressed concern over the summoning of journs for reporting.
A statement issued by KPC said that an urgent meeting was convened to discuss physical attacks, threats, intimidation being meted out to the journalists in Kashmir by J&K Police.
“The meeting in which representatives of all journalists associations took part noted with concern that from first day since Article 370 was removed on August 5, the Government is not enabling journalists and media to operate freely from the Valley”, the statement said.
The KPC said that this is evident from the prolonged six-month internet shutdown in the region since August 5. “As if that was not enough, physical attacks, threats and summons to journalists are being employed by security agencies to intimidate journalists”, it said.
“In fact, the summons and harassment to journalists by Police’s counter-insurgency centre in Srinagar has become a routine exercise. The harassment and questioning of journalists in Kashmir on flimsy grounds by the J&K Police for their work is in fact a damning verdict on the appalling condition in which media is operating”, the statement said.
“The restrictions on internet and forcibly seeking undertakings from news organizations for allowing limited internet access, constant surveillance by police and physical attacks and summons all are the tools designed and aimed to ensure only government-promoted version is heard outside. However, the meeting today made it clear that journalists are within their rights to report about the happenings from Kashmir impartially and truthfully”, the statement said.
“Kashmir Press Club joined by all journalist bodies in Kashmir asked the Government to stop practice of summons and attacks on journalists. Being the Fourth Estate, they said, the Government should ensure freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed in the constitution instead of muzzling the press. Viewing media as part of problem in Kashmir and blaming journalists for everything wrong is quite misplaced”, the statement said.
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