Srinagar: Journalists working in Kashmir should be provided with bulletproof jackets and helmets and accreditation or press cards should be duly honored during curfew or restrictions.
This was among several recommendations from a subcommittee the Press Council of India (PCI) set up in 2014 to examine the “Report of Interlocutors on Media and Media Scenario of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The report released by the PCI on October 9 was submitted by the committee led by SN Sinha after meeting with media persons related to Jammu and Kashmir at New Delhi, Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Jammu, Rajouri and Leh to discuss the report of Interlocutors.
After such interactions, the committee found about the discrimination, particularly against medium and small newspapers and periodicals. This is all more true in the case of government advertisements and the rates of the state which is one of the lowest in the country.
The committee also found the issue of the accreditation of journalists concerning the grassroots journalists and non-availability of information from government agencies compelling the journalists to find out news from unauthorized sources.
The committee suggested that a combined Information Centre should be formed in all three regions to provide all relevant official information without wasting time to the local media persons.
It also expressed concerns over the stoppage of the internet and mobile services in the State.
“In this age, no media can work without these supports. The policy of curbs on the internet and mobile services has to be reviewed urgently. The committee was surprised to know that in the Ladakh region, internet of BSNL was down for four months and even now, no internet or mobile data works in the area regularly. The low powered transmitting system of AIR and Doordarshan is a big handicap in the border area of Ladakh. The authorities need to take care of these issues on a priority basis,” reads the report.
The committee has also recommended special scholarships and internship for young graduates of media institutions to go out of state to get the working experience in their field of journalism and has also recommended setting up of J&K Journalists Welfare Fund scheme should cover all working journalists without any further delay.
It has also recommended bridging the gap between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the national media.
“Inter-regional media exchange will promote a better understanding among Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh journalists. Similarly, J&K journalists should be encouraged to visit other parts of the nation and interact with their counterparts there,” report says.
“Journalist teams from other parts of the nation should similarly visit the State to interact with the State’s journalists to understand J&K,” the report added.
(Source: twocirlces.net)