New media policy “last nail in the coffin” of press freedom, revoke it immediately: Qayoom Wani tells JK Govt

Srinagar: Senior trade union leader and former President Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) Ab Qayoom Wani on Thursday termed the new media policy of Jammu and Kashmir Government “the last nail in the coffin of press Freedom” in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued here on Thursday former EJAC president and Civil Society Member Wani Said “new Media policy announced on June 2, 2020 is undemocratic & authoritarian that effectively signals the end of freedom of expression, speech and opinion. While media is already regulated by two powerful institutions at country level, the new policy rules are unwarranted.” He said the new media by all means is an attempt to enslave the media industry which by virtue of this new policy losses the status of fourth pillar of democracy. “Media organisations and journalists in kashmir have always contributed with positivity in every sphere of public activity, represented the real sentiments of the people and also advertising the goverment programs and packages”, Wani said, adding that “media in Jammu and Kashmir as such has worked as as bridge between the people and the government”.Saying that Journlaists here suffered heavy losses in terms of life and dignity at times but continued their work professionally, Wani alleged according to this new policy now the news, views and small items too remain suspicious which makes the freedom of press as joke.
He said “stopping the advertisements to news papers, seeing the backgrounds of staffers and journalists is nothing less than mental suppression of the people of Kashmir in general and media fraternity in particular” .
Wani said “media fraternity is conscious enough to draw the parrallels and work ethically. They know how to call spade as spade and how to raise the voice against injustice of any kind and they are priviliged to enjoy complete support from all sections of society. Wani urged the Government to revoke the new policy to let media breathe freely in the larger interest of the societies.