Castigating Mehooba Mufti led government Journalists from Kashmir Valley Saturday staged a protest against the government for imposing a blanket ban on the internet service. Hundreds of journalists across Kashmir staged a peaceful protest in Press Enclave Srinagar alleging that the aim of the government is only to harass people.
Hundreds of journalists on Saturday stage a protest in Press Enclave Srinagar demanding immediate restoration of internet services in Kashmir.
“Despite enduring physical abuse while discharging professional duties, the journalists have upheld the highest traditions of reportage, with utmost integrity and honesty-to disseminate the information about the situation in Kashmir to the outside world. Notwithstanding the threat to life and pulls and pressure from various quarters, the media fraternity has been out in the field gathering information as part of their duties,” the protesting journalist said.
The protesting journalist said that an unprecedented situation has emerged since September 12 as the state decided to snap all interest services after suspending the mobile telephony. This undeclared gag has left the journalist completely grounded. Never before has the media fraternity been confronted with such a grave situation wherein we are not even able to communicate with other parts of state.
They said that for the past five days media fraternity has been virtually grappling in the dark. The visual journalists both photojournalists, reporters and videographers have been worst hit as they are unable to send pictures or videos to their concerns.
“The condition is so bad that some of us have been forced to dictate news reports on telephone and in some worst case scenarios send SMS’s which in this day and age mocks at technological advancement including digital India,” they said.
“Communication gag has caused mental strain among some of our colleagues. Ironically the gag is mostly hitting the media fraternity while the state administration including the bureaucracy and political parties continue to enjoy uninterrupted internet facilities,” said a journalist Neyaz Elahi.
The protesting journalists said that the situation has pushed the journalists to the edge as most scribes and photojournalists, who are working as stringers and freelancers have been deprived of their right to livelihood. Since the internet gag is happening very frequently in Kashmir, a permanent solution to it in respect of media fraternity in needed. The press council of India may recommend measures to the state government and New Delhi to ensure that any future internet gag does not affect the working of reporters.
Farooq Wani Editor Brighter Kashmir while lambasting JandK Government for suspension of internet said that such tactics are employed to harass the people. He said that people have now started to realize that Mehbooba led government is hell bent to harass and torment the common people of Kashmir.
(CNS)