Jammu, Mar 20: Ruling out any `pick and choose’ policy in the distribution of advertisements to newspapers Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated his commitment to press freedom, assuring that newspapers would not face punitive action for reporting the truth.
“Hold us accountable so that we can rectify mistakes,” he said. However, he warned against the spread of misinformation, emphasizing that fake news will not be tolerated. He urged journalists to verify the information before publication. “Such false reports cross boundaries, and by the time we attempt to clarify, they have already gone viral,” he said.
He ruled out any `pick and choose’ policy in the distribution of advertisements to newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, he addressed concerns raised by MLAs and assured the House that the government would ensure fairness in the process.
He emphasized that selective advertising must end and reaffirmed the commitment to a transparent system.
The Chief Minister said that newspapers that are entirely dependent on government ads and revenue cannot effectively serve the purpose of journalism. He said that such publications risk becoming government mouthpieces rather than independent news sources. “A newspaper that merely publishes press notes and my photograph on the front page is not a newspaper; it is a mouthpiece,” he said.
Abdullah said that newspapers should work towards self-reliance while confirming the government’s support in developing the media landscape.
Addressing the issue of accreditation, Abdullah acknowledged concerns raised by journalists regarding delays in the accreditation process. He said that he has directed the information department to expedite the review of applications. “If any discrepancy is found in an application, the applicant should be contacted and given a chance to resolve the issue,” he said.
Regarding press clubs, the Chief Minister said that while the Jammu Press Club is functioning well, the situation in Srinagar has been different. “The Srinagar Press Club, which was operating effectively, was politicized and subsequently shut down, leading to the formation of a parallel club. To ensure a fair process, he proposed that media professionals in Kashmir hold elections to establish a legitimate press club.”
The Chief Minister concluded by requesting media professionals to act responsibly and uphold journalistic integrity, assuring them that the government remains open to scrutiny and fair criticism.