Demands Immediate Reversal of Decisions Taken by Information Department
Srinagar, January 18:- An extraordinary ordinary and emergency executive council meeting of Jammu Kashmir Newspapers Coordination Committee (JKNCC) took place at Press Enclave Srinagar under supervision of Chairman Rasheed Rahi.
The meeting took place in view of the latest announcements made by Department of Information as the advertisement were suspended to several newspapers and many of them were de-empanelled by the information department.
Later after conclusion JKNCC issued the statement regarding advertisements stopped by Department of Information to different member publications.
The statement reads that Executive body has decided to forward a representation to LG Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir Manoj Sinha , Commissioner Secretary Information, Director information and Joint Director information Kashmir to resume advertisement in their favour with immediate effect as the media publications have bore the brunt of worst situations since last two years.
The statement further added that the Newspapers organizations have always suffered physical and economical losses due to the hostile situations and political turmoils.
“Despite these, We haven’t left our role in acting as bridge between the state and the common people” clarified Rasheed Rahi, head of the organization.
He added that such attempts will acts as demoralising factor and will deeply impact the free and fair duties of media in its Ethical Framework.
He feared that such policies will lead to the job losses to the people who are associated with these publications from last decade.
Taking cognizance of these facts, JKNCC appealed LG administration for immediate reversal of decisions taken by the Empanelment Committe.
All the members in one voice said that at a time when Newspaper Coordination Committee is proposing the government to increase the budget on advertisements, the administration has stopped it to genuine publication.
It is pertinent to mention that the government’s Empanelment Committee, constituted on 15 May 2020 and comprising senior officials of the Finance Department and Directorate of Information and Public Relations, took the decision of De-empanelment of 34 newspapers and suspension of Advertisements to 13 publications.
