KEG, Photo-journalist association, KNS, others meets PCI members

All issues will be taken up with higher authorities: PCI

All issues will be taken up with higher authorities: PCI


Tasaduq Rashid

Srinagar, Mar 14 (KNS): Several media delegations including Kashmir Editors Guild, Photo-Journalist Association and news gathering agency KNS on Saturday met members of Press Council of India (PCI) who arrived here on a three-day visit.
During the meeting, KNS delegation took up several issues pertaining to journalist fraternity especially hardships faced by media fraternity while performing their professional duties after August 5, 2019.
PCI delegation includes Balvinder Singh (convener), Kamal Nain Narang (member) and Syed Raza Hussain Rizvi (member).
Kashmir News Service KNS, other delegations apprised PCI members that post-August 5, 2019 situation proved troublesome for J&K journalists who could not move from one place to another due to restrictions imposed by J&K authorities.
“After August 5, 2019 journalists failed to carry out their professional duties in a free atmosphere. They were harassed, intimidated and restricted which left a big chunk of journalists unemployed”, KNS associate Tassaduq Rashid told PCI members.
It also said, “Several journalists while carrying out professional duties have faced wrath of government forces at several places across Kashmir. Even cameras were broken and press cards were disrespected”.
The delegation also raked up the issue of accommodation crisis faced by accredited journalists.
During the meeting, the journalists hailed the role of Directorate of Information and Public Relation who established ‘Media Facilitation Centre” in Srinagar city to facilitate internet services to media persons amid communication blockade.
Delegation while meeting with PCI members commended the role of Director Information Dr Sehrish Asgar and other officials for providing internet facilities to journalists during uncertain situation after August 5 last year.
According to KNS, delegation also urged the visiting group to establish “Media Facilitation Centers” at all district headquarters so that problems faced by the fraternity during unfair situation would be eased.
However PCI members gave patient hearing to the delegation and assured all issues would be taken up with J&K administration. It also added like other parts of country, PCI will use every effort to put a mechanism in place in J&K for the benefit of journalist fraternity.
Earlier members of Kashmir Editors Guild (KEG) including Bashir Manzar, Manzoor Anjum, Masood Hussain, Zahoor Malik & Haroon Rashid and members of Photo-Journalist Association including Syed Muzaffar, Omar Ganaie, Bilal Bahadur and Dar Yasin met PCI delegation and apprised him difficulties faced by journalists on ground. (KNS)

 

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