New Delhi, May 24: The interlocutors have criticized the role of the media and journalists in the state for “inventing events for political game” and suggested a short-term training to hone their reporting and writing skills.
“The role of the media, too, has been complex, combining positive peace support with mistruths that undermine peace initiatives. Barring a small handful of anchors and reporters, the national media have underreported conflict areas and tend to focus on moments of violence or recrimination. The local media, by contrast, have given far more attention to peace process developments but - as occurs routinely in conflict situations -there are some amongst them who are selective in what they report and biased in favour of one or another political position,” the interlocutors' report said.
The report found “flaws” in the role of a “few journalists” who “invented” quotes for their stories which resulted in “stumbling block” for peacemakers.
Commenting on the role of journalists in the state, it said “a few even go as far as inventing events and quotes for stories. To these few, journalism appears to be a political game rather than the pursuit of fact”.
“The negative fallout from this kind of journalism is that it acts as a brake on peacemakers who wish to move forward from stated positions, especially amongst the dissident groups,” the interlocutors said.
The 176-page report of the interlocutors - Dileep Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and M M Ansari, which was submitted to Home Minister P Chidambaram in October last year, recommended that curbs on Internet and mobile telephone usage need to be urgently reviewed.
It has suggested newspaper editors in the state be encouraged to participate in the activities of the Editors Guild of India and other national and South Asian professional bodies.
Besides, they should be included in the press teams that accompany the President and the Prime Minister during their trips abroad.
“Journalists from the state should be provided short-term training in institutes of mass communication in order to improve their reporting and writing skills,” it said.
The interlocutors have also sought involvement of bodies like the Press Council of India or the Editors Guild of India to look into various allegations by publishers and governments.
“Publishers have alleged that newspapers that do not toe the line are denied government advertisements. On the other hand, the government alleges that certain newspapers publish unsubstantiated stories and engage in a vilification campaign. Both these matters need to be investigated by a body like the Press Council of India or the Editors Guild of India," the report said.

WHAT THE REPORT PROPOSES
* J&K an integral part of Indian Union with dual character. At the same time, it has a special status enshrined in Article 370 of the Constitution of India. Centre-State relations must be finessed accordingly.
* All central Acts and Articles of the Constitution of India extended to the State after the 1952 Delhi Agreement should be reviewed. This does not mean a pure and simple return to the pre-1953 situation.
* The review should safeguard India's sovereignty in J&K and the nation's security interests.
* The State's status to be termed as ‘special’ as is the case with several States under Article 371.
* No change in Article 356 but if the government is dismissed, elections to be held within three months.
* Nomenclatures of the State Governor and Chief Minister in English to remain same, but, equivalent nomenclatures in Urdu to be used solely in communications in Urdu, should be considered.
* A consultative mechanism should be created where elected representatives from both sides can deliberate on issues of common interest and concerns including water, economy, tourism and trade.
* JK should be fairly compensated for the power generated in the state using its waters.
* All appropriate steps should be taken to make J&K a bridge between South and Central Asia.
* It wants certain hydel power projects to be handed over to the State.
* For internal emergency, prior consultation with the State Government required.
* Promotion of officers from All India Services to be gradually reduced in favour of officers from the State Civil Service.
* No more central laws and articles of the Constitution of India to be extended to the State by Presidental order.
* Three regional councils should be established for - Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh with equal constitutional status.
* There should be hassle-free movement of people and goods across LoC.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 IST