BILAL HUSSAIN
In the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, journalists were subjected to major restrictions from 7 to 9 July because of a curfew imposed by the police and army in response to a wave of demonstrations and unrest. Reporters were unable to move about in the summer capital, Srinagar, because the local authorities cancelled their curfew passes. No newspapers were published on 10 July in protest against the restrictions.
Several incidents involving journalists were reported in connection with the demonstrations. Members of the Central Reserve Police Force beat 12 journalists covering a demonstration on 6 July. On the same day, Izhar Wani of Agence France-Presse wanted to rush home after being told that his wife and daughters had fainted from the effects of all the tea-gas discharged in the area. But he was prevented because his pass had been cancelled.
Mark Magnier of the Los Angeles Times was hit by a police officer near Srinagar’s Lake Dal on 7 July. Riyaz Masroor of the BBC’s Urdu-language service sustained a fracture to his left hand when policemen hit him on 9 July. “I left my home because the Department of Information called me to collect my pass, but policemen on the street attacked me with batons,” Masroor said.
Suhail Bukhari of the TV station NewsX was arrested on 10 July after getting his facts wrong in a report. He and the station apologised for the mistake but they are facing the possibility of being prosecuted on a charge of inciting violence.
As a result of the protests and unrest in Kashmir, the authorities imposed new restrictions on the free flow of information: censorship of local cable TV stations, censorship of certain Facebook pages and restrictions on mobile phones during the demonstrations. The newspaper Greater Kashmir reported that the organisers of a Facebook group were summoned for questioning by the police for posting reports and video footage of the rioting in Srinagar.
Showing posts with label Press Freedom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Press Freedom. Show all posts
Bowdlerization against press in Kashmir
India stands at 120 rank in Press Freedom Index
Bilal Hussain
Srinagar, Aug 28: At a time when the world talks about freedom of press, people in Kashmir have been restricted to go through the dailies or watch news and current affairs programme on local channels. Due to curfew, local newspapers have not hit the stands and TV channels have stopped airing their programmes since Monday morning. It's days now since the international media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, called upon Government of India to lift the restrictions on media in Kashmir. The state government on Thursday came up with a statement denying that any restriction has been placed. Reacting to this, a spokesperson of Reporters without Borders told Greater Kashmir said, "Of course, the areas affected by press freedom violations are Kashmir and North East states. He informed that in 2007, India was at the 120 rank on 169 countries in press freedom index by RSF. The index measures the state of press freedom in the world. It reflects the degree of freedom that journalists and news organizations enjoy in each country, and the efforts made by the authorities to respect and ensure respect for this freedom. According to the report by RSF Israel (Israeli territory) was at 44, Kosovo was at 60 rank and Iceland stood at the top rank. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers. "We are being restrained from serving our people with the correct and updated news," said reporter, Umar Manzor with Wadi news channel. "I had to go through 15 check points before reaching office. The manner CRPF personnel treated me was cruel," said Gowhar Ahmad, a reporter with a newspaper. The Indian Constitution, while not mentioning the word "press", provides for "the right to freedom of speech and expression" (Article 19(1) a). The government claimed that reports broadcast by certain stations violated the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995.
Bilal Hussain
Srinagar, Aug 28: At a time when the world talks about freedom of press, people in Kashmir have been restricted to go through the dailies or watch news and current affairs programme on local channels. Due to curfew, local newspapers have not hit the stands and TV channels have stopped airing their programmes since Monday morning. It's days now since the international media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, called upon Government of India to lift the restrictions on media in Kashmir. The state government on Thursday came up with a statement denying that any restriction has been placed. Reacting to this, a spokesperson of Reporters without Borders told Greater Kashmir said, "Of course, the areas affected by press freedom violations are Kashmir and North East states. He informed that in 2007, India was at the 120 rank on 169 countries in press freedom index by RSF. The index measures the state of press freedom in the world. It reflects the degree of freedom that journalists and news organizations enjoy in each country, and the efforts made by the authorities to respect and ensure respect for this freedom. According to the report by RSF Israel (Israeli territory) was at 44, Kosovo was at 60 rank and Iceland stood at the top rank. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers. "We are being restrained from serving our people with the correct and updated news," said reporter, Umar Manzor with Wadi news channel. "I had to go through 15 check points before reaching office. The manner CRPF personnel treated me was cruel," said Gowhar Ahmad, a reporter with a newspaper. The Indian Constitution, while not mentioning the word "press", provides for "the right to freedom of speech and expression" (Article 19(1) a). The government claimed that reports broadcast by certain stations violated the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995.
The media persons wounded included Bilal Bhat, the Sahara Samay TV station’s bureau chief in Srinagar, who had several ribs broken, and his cameraman, Muzaffar. Ajaz Ahmad of News X, Jehangir Aziz of ETV’s Urdu service and Amin War of The Tribune newspaper were also injured.
Many journalists in the Press Enclave say that government had trampled over this right. Journalists on Monday staged demonstration here. "Give us freedom of work, let the press be free," they said.
Newspapers running out of paper
Rs 200 Cr print industry under threat
BILAL HUSSAIN
Srinagar: The print industry of Kashmir is under threat due to the continuing blockade of Srinagar-Jammu highway. The industry manages an annual turnover of Rs 200 crores in the Valley alone.
The economic blockade has affected over 350 printing units, employing thousands of youths. President, Kashmir Printers Association, Mukhoor Gowhar, told Greater Kashmir that the highway blockade has affected the printers' business the most. "The printing industry is basic for all other sectors," he said.
Local newspapers too are running short of newsprint. Some newspapers have stopped printing and most have reduced the number of pages to ensure continuity.
On an average 8 trucks of paper arrive in the Valley daily. According to Gowhar, government hospitals require huge printing supplies in the form of OPD tickets and other forms. "Till date we have managed to supply tickets and forms to hospitals without any break but now we are running short of supplies," he adds.
Other industrialists associated with the trade say the paper industry is of utmost importance and government should ensure supply to printers.
The price hike of over 15 per cent in paper industry has already affected their business in the Valley. "We were still struggling to manage after recent price hike and now the economic blockade has dented us financially," said an industrialist.
According to Gowhar, the government departments have started cancellation of orders to the local printers. "Government in these tough times should stand by us. Instead they are threatening us by cancellation notices," he said.
The association said the government departments are planning to outsource the work to outsiders. "Outsourcing would mean huge loss to the unit holders and government should restrain them from doing this," said a unit holder.
Presently the printers fear cancellation of orders from Kashmir University, banks and hospitals.
The prevailing situation demands thorough media coverage and the print media is doing its bit. "Paper supplies to the newspapers should be ensured at all cost," said president, Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, Shakeel Qalander. "It is unfortunate on part of the government," he adds.
BILAL HUSSAIN
Srinagar: The print industry of Kashmir is under threat due to the continuing blockade of Srinagar-Jammu highway. The industry manages an annual turnover of Rs 200 crores in the Valley alone.
The economic blockade has affected over 350 printing units, employing thousands of youths. President, Kashmir Printers Association, Mukhoor Gowhar, told Greater Kashmir that the highway blockade has affected the printers' business the most. "The printing industry is basic for all other sectors," he said.
Local newspapers too are running short of newsprint. Some newspapers have stopped printing and most have reduced the number of pages to ensure continuity.
On an average 8 trucks of paper arrive in the Valley daily. According to Gowhar, government hospitals require huge printing supplies in the form of OPD tickets and other forms. "Till date we have managed to supply tickets and forms to hospitals without any break but now we are running short of supplies," he adds.
Other industrialists associated with the trade say the paper industry is of utmost importance and government should ensure supply to printers.
The price hike of over 15 per cent in paper industry has already affected their business in the Valley. "We were still struggling to manage after recent price hike and now the economic blockade has dented us financially," said an industrialist.
According to Gowhar, the government departments have started cancellation of orders to the local printers. "Government in these tough times should stand by us. Instead they are threatening us by cancellation notices," he said.
The association said the government departments are planning to outsource the work to outsiders. "Outsourcing would mean huge loss to the unit holders and government should restrain them from doing this," said a unit holder.
Presently the printers fear cancellation of orders from Kashmir University, banks and hospitals.
The prevailing situation demands thorough media coverage and the print media is doing its bit. "Paper supplies to the newspapers should be ensured at all cost," said president, Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, Shakeel Qalander. "It is unfortunate on part of the government," he adds.
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