Srinagar: Following the revocation of Article 370 by the Modi-led government, press freedom in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has significantly worsened, with journalists facing increased challenges and restrictions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a surge in restrictions has been observed since the Indian government’s decision to abrogate the constitutional provision that granted special status to the region. This has led to a more controlled environment where journalists are frequently subjected to pressures from security forces. Many have been detained, and there is an overarching requirement for media personnel to disclose their sources, severely hampering journalistic freedom.
Local journalists, including Saeed Malik, a seasoned reporter from the region, have voiced their concerns. Malik highlighted the opacity surrounding events in Kashmir, noting that significant incidents are often shielded from public view until after they have occurred, leading to surprise and confusion among the Indian populace. He emphasized that the situation has reached a point where “the concept of press freedom in Kashmir has been effectively eliminated.”
The decline in newspaper readership and the overarching atmosphere of surveillance has left journalists dedicating more time to evade scrutiny rather than focusing on their reporting duties. The arrest of journalists under stringent anti-terrorism laws, such as the case of Irfan Mehraj, has intensified fears among the media community regarding their safety and the ability to perform their roles without interference.
These developments have raised alarms about the erosion of democratic values and human rights in Kashmir, with implications that could further compromise the governance and societal structure of the region.