Social Activist Ahmad Ayaz Criticizes NC MLA For Alleged Favouratism In Govt Advts

Srinagar| March,19: Ahmad Ayaz, a renowned social activist and national TV debater, has strongly criticized a ruling party MLA for pleading in the Assembly yesterday for government advertisements to be allocated to only a few select newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir, rather than advocating for a transparent policy that benefits all. This move raises serious concerns about the misuse of public funds to influence the media for political interests instead of ensuring fair access for all newspapers.
“While MLAs have the right to raise any issue in the Assembly, it should not mean lobbying for government advertisements for select newspapers to serve political interests. Newspapers largely depend on government advertisements for financial survival, but seeing a ruling party MLA advocating for just a few specific newspapers is both surprising and concerning,” Ayaz stated. He emphasized the need for a fair and transparent advertisement policy that ensures equal distribution among all newspapers, preventing favoritism and safeguarding journalistic independence. “Why should government ads be directed to only a few, effectively turning them into mouthpieces rather than allowing them to function as independent sources of news?” he questioned. Ahmad Ayaz appealed the Government to implement a transparent policy that upholds press freedom and ensures advertisements are fairly distributed among all newspapers, rather than being used as a tool for political influence.