Srinagar, Analysts and political experts have accused the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of employing harsh measures to suppress the media in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), pushing local journalists to echo the narratives of the occupying forces and the BJP administration.

According to Kashmir Media Service, these commentators, in various interviews and statements in Srinagar, highlighted an escalation in the suppression of journalists following the abrogation of the region’s special status on August 5, 2019. They alleged that this trend reflects the Modi government’s broader strategy to stifle dissent and control the narrative within the disputed territory.

The experts argued that the intimidation faced by the Kashmiri press is part of a historical pattern of repression, intensified under the current regime. They have called on international media bodies to support and uphold the principles of independent journalism in IIOJK, drawing attention to the difficult conditions under which local reporters operate, including instances of violence and intimidation dating back to 1989.

Furthermore, they criticized the RSS-aligned Indian media for its biased and misleading coverage of the Kashmiri struggle for freedom, accusing it of disseminating false information to conform to the BJP-led government’s stance on Kashmir. These actions, they contend, undermine the essence of professional journalism and serve to distract from the human rights abuses committed in the region.