Freedom of press is not something of a refined, rosy concept that can only be fancied of, and doesn’t exist anywhere in the world. It is not even an absolute, abstract, conceptual category that can be a part of a good academic discourse, and not anything that exists as a practice. The difference over what constitutes freedom, and what are the limits of freedom, cannot also confuse people about what freedom of press means. It is on the contrary a practice known world over, and has been a part of our journalistic history also. In this part of the world press has been through much. It is one of the few places in the world where journalism, as an institution, has faced huge pressures, but has been there to cover news as it happens, and express opinion as it exists in the society. Those who are associated with this profession, and those who read newspapers and watch visual media, know full well what freedom of press means, and what constitutes curtailing this freedom. For last some time we have seen how this freedom is once again becoming a target. Here it needs to be expressed in an unambiguous way that journalism in Kashmir has evolved to a degree where it know what it means to be responsible.
The coverage of news, and dissemination of views go through due process of professional rigour. The journalists working here observe their professional ethics, and work hard to gather news, and throw light on the happenings. If maintaining the professional standards the space is choked that can be only called an assault on the freedom of press. In any meaningful form of governance it doesn’t fit in the framework of law, order, or rights. It violates the basic framework of freedoms that people as individuals, and journalists as professionals, enjoy. Difference of opinion, or asking questions to those who are at the helm of affairs, or giving expression to people’s concerns are in no way activities that entail legal, or punitive actions. In fact for any healthy society, or efficient system, a free press is indispensable.