SRINAGAR: Journalists and press freedom activists have expressed serious concern over the deteriorating state of media freedom in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir amid systematic suppression and a prevalent climate of fear.
Anuradha Bhasin, Managing Editor of Kashmir Times, has voiced serious concerns regarding the failing state of press freedom in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, especially in light of an upcoming visit by foreign diplomats.
Speaking to a foreign news channel, Bhasin questioned the diplomats’ ability to understand the situation in the occupied region, stating, “I am not sure how these diplomats can make out without having the freedom to move around freely.”
The senior journalist said that the timing of the diplomats’ tour coincides with severe restrictions on both foreign and local media in the Indian-occupied region. “At the time that this tour of diplomats has been organized, foreign media is not even allowed to operate in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Local media does not have the freedom to write what they should be writing,” she explained.
According to Bhasin, journalists in the occupied region are being controlled through a “systematic and suppressive mechanism.”
The pervasive atmosphere of fear among journalists has led to a troubling trend where many feel compelled to speak only under the condition of anonymity. “There is a lot of fear to speak,” Bhasin noted, emphasizing that the issues surrounding anonymity significantly compromise the authenticity of the information being reported.
She revealed that even reports that are only slightly critical have resulted in journalists opting to keep their names undisclosed. “People do not speak out of fear and if they do so they do it on condition of anonymity. This is a troubling situation for journalists because there are issues of how authentic this would sound at the end of the day,”.
Bhasin highlighted that even reports that are only slightly critical of the authorities have led to the omission of journalists’ names, reflecting the intense fear permeating the media landscape in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. ” We have reports which were slightly critical, not even extremely critical where the names of reporters name have not been mentioned.”
This trend raises concerns about the authenticity and reliability of information being shared, as many reporters opt to remain anonymous due to the potential repercussions they face for their work. The situation underscores the broader challenges to press freedom in the region.
Notably, respected outlets like The Guardian have published stories in which the names of reporters could not be revealed, a stark indicator of the frightening environment for journalists.
Bhasin further elaborated on the distressing experiences faced by journalists in the Indian-occupied region, detailing how they are frequently summoned for questioning. These interrogations often delve into uncomfortable aspects of their personal lives, rather than focusing solely on their journalistic work or sources. “This poses an extremely chilling effect on journalists,” she said, adding that many have had their passports impounded or found themselves on no-fly lists. “If you have to survive, you have to give in,” she maintained.
The current climate of fear and repression poses significant challenges for press freedom in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, raising alarms about the ability of journalists to report freely and accurately on critical issues affecting the region.
