Media Rights in Kashmir Under Stress

SAMSN partners in India have informed the IFJ of a series of incidents in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which virtually paralysed the functioning of the news media for five days. A complete curfew was declared in the Kashmir region on July 6 following month-long civil disturbances. This led to the virtual closure of the region’s news media, since news staff were effectively confined to their homes and the few who ventured out were at risk of severe assault. A few days later, amid claims that the curfew would be relaxed for news media staff, senior journalist Riyaz Masroor was attacked by police on his way to collect a curfew pass from the State Government’s Information Department, after receiving a telephone call asking for his presence.

See: http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/blaming-the-messenger-no-solution-to-kashmir-disturbances

http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-urges-indian-government-to-let-kashmir-journalists-speak

http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/assault-undermines-claim-of-restored-press-rights-in-kashmir

Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk