The Cogito Media Foundation has strongly condemned the Indian government’s recent move to block social media accounts and websites of several independent digital news outlets, calling it “an organized assault on independent journalism.”
Speaking on behalf of the foundation, Shams Tabrez Qasmi, the president, said the action taken against platforms such as The Kashmiriyat, Maktoob Media, Free Press Kashmir, and Maktoob Media cannot be dismissed as mere technical decisions.
“This is a direct attempt to silence voices that are telling the truth,” Qasmi said. “It is not just about controlling media; it is about controlling the public’s right to know.”
Qasmi further warned that such steps were unconstitutional and deeply damaging to democratic values. “Blocking media without proper legal process is a dangerous move. It breaks the trust citizens have in the system,” he said, citing Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression.
According to Cogito, the crackdown on platforms reporting from Kashmir is especially concerning. “Fair and honest reporting from Kashmir is important. If the government treats it as a threat, it shows that they are afraid of the truth,” Qasmi noted. He emphasized that journalism is being criminalized in Kashmir, where ground reportage has become increasingly difficult.
The foundation also raised alarm over the chilling effect these actions could have on other journalists and newsrooms across India. “Targeting platforms like The Wire sends a strong message. It tells other journalists that if you question those in power, you will be punished,” Qasmi said.
He described journalism as vital to a functioning democracy. “A society without access to truth becomes weak. Journalism helps people think critically and hold the powerful accountable,” Qasmi stated. “In a democracy, the media is one of the four pillars, along with the government, judiciary, and legislature. If one pillar is broken, the whole system becomes unstable.”
Calling for dialogue and responsible governance, Qasmi appealed to the government to protect journalistic freedoms rather than suppress them. “We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for space to report the truth without fear. Journalism done within the law should not be treated like a crime,” he said.
He concluded with a reminder about the importance of dissent in a democratic society: “Dissent is not a crime. It is the strength of a democracy. The government should choose dialogue over silence.”
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
- News Deskhttps://thekashmiriyat.co.uk/author/kashmiriyat/
