Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, addressed key concerns regarding press freedom, government advertising policies, and media accountability during a legislative assembly session.
He assured that no newspaper or journalist would be prosecuted for holding the government accountable but urged media houses to fact-check their reports before publication.
“For all media fraternity who stand for truth, it is assured that no newspaper or media persons shall be prosecuted. We wish that they hold the government accountable but not at the expense of fake news,” Abdullah said. He cited the recent reports about liquor stores as an example of misinformation, stating that such stories were fabricated without verification from the government.
Addressing the issue of government advertisements, Abdullah dismissed allegations of bias in ad distribution, stating that transparency would be maintained. However, he also emphasized the need for media houses to be financially independent rather than relying solely on government advertisements.
“Those newspapers that survive solely on government ads cannot function in a non-biased manner. We should try to keep our media houses independent and prevent this ‘mushrooming’ of newspapers,” he said. He further criticized newspapers that act as mouthpieces for the government, calling them “the government’s press notes” rather than independent publications.
On the issue of journalist accreditation, Abdullah acknowledged complaints about applications being rejected and directed the concerned department to review discrepancies and inform applicants of any issues.
Regarding the Srinagar Press Club, Abdullah condemned the forced closure of the previously established club and the creation of a parallel one. He demanded that the press club be restored, with its managing committee elected through a democratic process. “There should only be one press club, and the managing committee should be chosen by the Srinagar press club itself through elections,” he asserted.
Finally, Abdullah urged journalists to refrain from spreading rumors and to verify their sources before publishing news. “I urge them to fact-check and verify their sources. Don’t spread rumors,” he said, emphasizing the media’s role in ensuring responsible journalism in the region.
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