Srinagar, Mar 21: Journalist Associations including the Kashmir Editors Association (KEA) and JK Media Guild (JKMG) have welcomed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statement calling for an end to the unfair distribution of government advertisements among newspapers. The association expressed hope that this would pave the way for equitable allocation of advertisements among media outlets and demanded an investigation into past allocations.
The KEA and JKMG, while lauding the Chief Minister’s stance, urged him to constitute a committee to investigate the criteria on which certain newspapers received large-scale government advertisements since 2019. The association asserted that a fair inquiry would expose corrupt elements and ensure accountability in the advertisement distribution process.
“The Chief Minister’s statement is a step in the right direction. However, we strongly appeal to him to initiate a comprehensive probe into the pattern of advertisement distribution over the past years. Identifying those who have unduly benefited will restore credibility in the system,” they stated.
Furthermore, they also welcomed Omar Abdullah’s assurance that the Press Club in Srinagar would be revived. The association stressed the importance of investigating the circumstances that led to the closure of the press club in the absence of an elected government.
“The shutdown of the Srinagar Press Club was a major setback for the journalist fraternity. It is imperative to inquire who played a key role in its closure and on what grounds. Re-establishing the press club is a necessary step, but accountability for its shutdown must also be ensured,” these associations added. [KNT]
