Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ruled out any “pick and choose” approach in the allocation of government advertisements to newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing concerns raised by MLAs in the Legislative Assembly, he assured that the distribution process would remain fair and transparent.
The Chief Minister emphasized that selective advertising must come to an end, asserting that publications overly dependent on government revenue cannot serve as true voices of journalism. He warned that such newspapers risk turning into mere government mouthpieces. “A newspaper that only carries press notes and my photograph on the front page is not a newspaper; it’s a mouthpiece,” he remarked.
Reaffirming his commitment to press freedom, Abdullah assured that no punitive action would be taken against newspapers for reporting the truth. However, he cautioned against the spread of misinformation, urging journalists to verify facts before publication. “Fake news spreads quickly, and by the time we clarify, the damage is already done,” he said.
Abdullah encouraged media houses to move towards financial independence while reiterating the government’s support in strengthening the media industry. He stressed that self-reliance is crucial for maintaining journalistic integrity.
Addressing concerns about accreditation delays, the Chief Minister directed the information department to speed up application reviews. He assured that applicants would be given opportunities to correct discrepancies rather than facing outright rejection.
On the issue of press clubs, Abdullah acknowledged the smooth functioning of the Jammu Press Club but noted that Srinagar’s press body had become politicized, leading to its closure and the formation of a parallel club. To resolve the issue, he proposed that Kashmiri journalists hold elections to establish a legitimate press club. [KNT]
