Srinagar, Apr 08, KDC: International Forum for Justice and Human Rights JK on Thursday castigated the Kashmir Police Chief Vijay Kumar for issuing a diktat to the media in Kashmir thereby asking them not to report about the gunfights and the law and order situation.
In a statement to news Agency Kashmir Dot Com- (KDC), the chairperson of IFFJHR Muhammad Ahsan Untoo noted that the government has already stopped enabling journalists and media personnel to operate freely in the Valley and now the diktat issued by the IGP tantamount to direct interference in the freedom of press in Kashmir.
He said that previously the journalists have been summoned and subjected to harassment by security agencies merely for reporting the facts on the ground.
He said that the latest statement by the IGP testifies the appalling operative conditions of the media in Kashmir.
Reiterating that the media had the right to report freely and impartially, Untoo said that the attempts by police to coerce the media was to ensure that the facts on the ground do not come out and only reports that the government wants to peddle are disseminated.
“Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and the administration should ensure freedom of press instead of muzzling it,” he added. (KDC)
