SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 24: Journalists have long been regarded as the custodians of public interest, playing a crucial role in bridging the gap between the government and the people. Their responsibility to highlight the issues faced by ordinary citizens and to raise awareness about government schemes and steps aimed at public welfare is an essential pillar of democracy. However, in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the media’s role has been compromised by unethical practices that undermine the very values they are supposed to uphold.
Prior to 2019, a few number of media organizations in J&K, specifically a select few newspapers, had monopolized the journalistic fraternity and were involved in fanning radicalisation and terrorism. These entities were also engaged in blackmailing various government departments, including the J&K Information Department. This unethical behavior damaged the integrity of journalism in the region, as the media became a tool for personal gain rather than serving its intended role as a watchdog for society.
Fortunately, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi post-2019, significant reforms were introduced to address this issue. The media sector, particularly newspaper organizations, underwent a much-needed overhaul. For the past five years, a sense of fairness and transparency returned in the distribution of government advertisements, with the J&K Information Department ensuring that all newspapers received their rightful share based on merit, rather than through coercion or manipulation.
However, troubling reports have surfaced in recent weeks. It appears that some of the same unscrupulous elements within the media fraternity, known for blackmailing, are once again resorting to blackmail tactics. These individuals, often referred to as the “black sheep” within the newspaper community, are allegedly pressuring government officials in the J&K Information Department.
These individuals have not only tarnished the reputation of the entire journalistic community in Kashmir, but they have also weaponized their newspapers as tools for defamation and blackmail. Targeting officials from various government departments, particularly those within the J&K Information Department, these newspaper owners are accused of launching personal attacks, going so far as to malign the private lives of these officials.
