Editors Guild Expresses Concern Over Communication Lockdown in J&K

“The government owes it to the people to allow the press to function freely,” the statement said.

A man walks past Rapid Action Force (RAF) soldiers standing guard in Jammu, India, on Friday, 9 August 2019. Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: AP)

The Editors Guild of India on Saturday, 10 August, expressed deep concern over the continued shutdown in communication links in the Kashmir Valley and the alleged curtailment of the media’s freedom.

“While some visiting journalists may be able to file their reports once they are out of the Valley, the lockdown is almost total and draconian for the vibrant local media that are the first eyes and ears on the ground,” said the Guild in a statement.

“It (the government) owes it to the people of India, including all in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, to allow the press, a vital institution of democracy, to function freely,” the statement said.

“The Guild underlines the imprudence in creating an unfair distinction in the treatment: For access, curfew passes, communication between local journalists and those coming in to report from outside. All journalists and all Indian citizens are entitled to equal freedoms,” it added.

Kashmir Times Editor Moves SC Demanding Press Freedom

Meanwhile, a petition was filed on Saturday by an editor of a prominent daily from Jammu and Kashmir in the Supreme Court seeking removal of restrictions imposed on working of journalists in J&K after scrapping of provisions of Article 370.

Anuradha Bhasin, Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, has sought directions for restoration of all modes of communication to enable the media to function in Jammu and Kashmir.

The editor in the petition said she is seeking a direction for the Centre and the administration of Jammu and Kashmir to immediately relax all restrictions on freedom of movement of journalists and media personnel in Kashmir and some districts of Jammu.

The direction was sought in order to enable media personnel to practise their profession and exercise their right to report in furtherance of their rights under Article 14, 19 (1) (a) and 19 (1) (g) and 21 of the Constitution as well as the right to know of the residents of the Kashmir Valley, the petition said.

Jammu and Kashmir has been under lockdown since 5 August after the government abrogated Article 370 that gave special status to the erstwhile state and divided it into two Union Territories.

(With inputs from PTI)