Well begun is half done

In a first, some days before top journalists associated with print and broadcast media had an interaction with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and shared with him their perceptions about the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir concerning media and people. The move by Lt Governor is significant for the media fraternity in Kashmir who has been at the receiving end of the authorities since August 5 last year. The journalists raised the issue of ignoring them as main stakeholders in the newly introduced media policy. The policy will simply convert journalism into the extended arm of Governments Public relations Department, which is not just sad but dangerous for democracy. The Journalists described the incidents of intimidation, harassment and curbs on their movement for covering the daily happenings of the place.

The journalists also apprised the Lt Governor about the non-cooperation of officials during the reporting of COVID pandemic. The media were left for guessing in the dark when officials stopped attending the calls from reporters. A threadbare discussion was also held on the advertising policy of Government, distribution of advertisements. The Lt Governor appreciated the role of media in highlighting the grievances of the public and assured Journalists of cooperation from administration in facilitating it as fourth pillar of democracy. As a field reporter, the first battle with the administration starts with getting the official quote from the concerned official. The story goes as- Officials don’t receive his calls; he files the stories without the official quote. Next day, he is summoned or a rebuttal is issued by the department. There is a possibility that his story is not factually correct. But the officials who did not respond to his calls for a quote should be equally blamed. In a conflict-ridden place where deaths are routine and rumours travel faster than factual news, it is important Government appoints professional degree holders as Public Relations Officers of Departments who can be reached out for official versions of the stories. The Kashmiri journalists are known for their reporting and behind the lens skills all over the world. It is time to respect their space at home also. I don’t think any newspaper or journalist has ever been reluctant to cover official functions of the Government which comes under the Public Relations segment. Rest as great George Orwell has said: “Journalism is printing what someone else does not want published; everything else is public relations.” Media in Kashmir has always played a positive role in every situation. As they say, well begun is half done. But the other half will say everything about the new beginning.