Srinagar, April 20( KNS): Iltija Mufti daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti today criticised the Government for harassing and intimidating journalists.
She in a series of tweets from Mehbooba Mufti's twitter handle which she is operating wrote: "Intimidating & harassing journalists in J&K to stifle reportage has become the norm. Masarat Zahra, a photojournalist was booked under draconia non UAPA for allegedly ‘uploading anti national posts’. In J&K using VPNs or social media is now seen as a threat to public order."
She in an another tweet said "Predominantly media in the country is largely pliable.The ones that have any credibility left are hounded & punished. It’s worse for journalists from J&K who report at the cost of their lives. TOI reporter Samiya Latief was bullied & trolled on twitter."
She also raisesd the issue of summoning of The Hindu journalist, " A correspondent working for The Hindu was interrogated for hours on an article that didn’t fit into the narrative of the establishment. Any dissent/ counter opinion has been outlawed & criminalised. Filing FIRs & invoking stringent laws meant for criminals is a blot on democracy" (KNS)