Srinagar: A recent content analysis conducted by The Wire has highlighted significant bias in the editorial practices of two leading English newspapers in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The analysis accuses Greater Kashmir and Rising Kashmir of promoting narratives favorable to the BJP government while neglecting critical political discussions.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the analysis criticized the newspapers for their selective coverage of non-political issues and avoidance of the sensitive political climate in Kashmir. It pointed out instances of editorial content that appeared to be generated by artificial intelligence, and articles that were plagiarized from the Observer Research Foundation without proper attribution.

The report also noted an unusual number of op-eds that aligned closely with the BJP’s perspective, particularly concerning the connection between militant activities and political events. On July 20, Greater Kashmir published a column suggesting that the increase in militancy was linked to the electoral success of non-BJP parties, a stance that contradicts observable trends, as the upsurge in militancy is predominantly in Jammu where BJP has been more successful.

Experts suggest that the editorial slant is influenced by the IIOJK Media Policy, which discourages “anti-national content” and favors “developmental activities,” leading to a significant underrepresentation of regional political views and a lack of critical opinion and free debate in local media. This policy shift has raised concerns about the long-term impact on public perception and historical record, with fears that the lack of unbiased reporting could distort the historical truth of the region.