Media in Kashmir has been pushed to the edge. Valley’sleading daily the Greater Kashmir has not received any governmentadvertisements for the past one and a half month. And there seems bleakpossibility about these advertisements being released in the near future. Jammuand Kashmir government has not given any specific reason for blocking theadvertisements to the Greater Kashmir and the Kashmir Reader. It appears thatthe people at the helm don’t want to answer any questions.
After blocking the advertisements to the Greater Kashmirlast month the state run Information department recently stopped sending advertisements to Urdu daily the Kashmir Uzma, sister concernof the Greater Kashmir. Again no formalorder was issued.
The decision of the Jammu and Kashmir government to stop theadvertisements to these dailies has put the livelihood of more than 300employees at stake.
It appears that by blocking the advertisements thegovernment wants to tell the fourth estate in Kashmir that it’s “subservient”to the state and there is no space for independent voices.
Reporting facts in conflict ridden Kashmir has never beeneasy. Journalists and the media houses in the Valley have faced all sorts oftribulations during the past three decades. Pulls and pressures have alwaysbeen there from all the sides. Despite all odds the institution of journalismhas survived in Kashmir. But the present “onslaught” seems dangerous andappears to be a “test dose.” It’s clear hint to all the media houses at leastin Kashmir that censorship is on and they should tread a cautious path.
It looks like that the people at the helm have startedbelieving that if the “test dose” works they would be able to make the fourthestate dance to their tunes.
Silence being maintained by the big media houses across thecountry is an indication that no one wants to talk about the advertisement banin Kashmir. Three newspapers being deprived of the government advertisementsjust seems to be a beginning. The media fraternity in Jammu and Kashmir andrest of the country should not turn a blind eye towards this onslaught on thefreedom of speech. Today it’s the Greater Kashmir, tomorrow it can be anyorganisation, anywhere in the country.
Soon after the government advertisements were stopped politicians issued statements to condemn the ban and few of them used twitter to express their dismay over the government’s decision.
After initial reaction they have maintained silence over the issue and are busy with their election campaign. Media cells of these political parties everyday issue statements about activities of their leaders and ensure that they get full publicity. No one wants to even peep and see how “insecure” the journalist fraternity— especially the scribes associated with the local media in Kashmir— has become. If these leaders wanted they could have played a big role in getting the decision reversed. They could have collectively called on the Union Home Minister or the Prime Minister and apprised them about ground situation, but it appears that they are not interested to come forward and raise their voice.
It’s high time for Jammu and Kashmir government to comeforward and clear the air. It needs to at least tell the managements of thesemedia organisations the reason for stopping the government advertisements thattoo in the midst of the election season, festival of democracy.
Mediamen in Kashmir have faced everything, including stones, bullet and bombs during the past 30-years of conflict in the Valley. Despite facing a tough time the fourth estate in Kashmir has not allowed “truth to become causality.” The Jammu and Kashmir government needs to focus on the issues which touch the skin of a common man rather than trying to control everything, including the media.
This policy cannot work as the role of the media is defined. News organisations cannot turn a “Nelson’s eye” towards what’s happening around them. Journalists and the media outlets cannot sit on facts as facts are sacred, and lid cannot be put over the facts. Truth has to prevail come what may.
(Javaid Malik is Senior Editor Greater Kashmir).