Working journalists including photo-journalists and video journalists of Jammu region have taken strong exception to the “harassment” of The Times of India journalist Saleem Pandit.
“In a meeting, Press Club of Jammu (PCJ) sharing its concern has conveyed its displeasure and anguish to the Jammu and Kashmir government for lodging an FIR against senior journalist Saleem Pandit who has been discharging his professional duties since long in Kashmir for the national daily,” a statement by PCJ said today.
Saleem Pandit had reported about an alleged stone pelting on tourists, a fact denied by police.
“The state government not only harassed the senior journalist by adopting different means including launching a campaign to malign the senior scribe in social media, but they also registered a case against him in the police station under section 505(2) RPC,” the statement said.
Ashwani Kumar, president Press Club of Jammu, said there are many other ways to contradict a story but registering FIR against a journalist reflects government’s mindset to gag voice of media.
Various journalist groups in Jammu have warned the state government to desist from further damaging the image of Saleem Pandit. GKNN