Barring journalists from Republic Day event at Srinagar an attack on press freedom: Editors Guild | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Barring journalists from Republic Day event at Srinagar an attack on press freedom: Editors Guild

Hindustan Times, Srinagar | ByHT Correspondent, Srinagar
Jan 28, 2019 11:35 PM IST

The Editors Guild of India has termed the barring of journalists from covering the Republic Day function in Srinagar as an “unprecedented state-sponsored attack on press freedom”.

The Editors Guild of India has termed the barring of journalists from covering the Republic Day function in Srinagar on Saturday as an “unprecedented state-sponsored attack on press freedom” in Jammu and Kashmir.

Security personnel stand guard during 70th Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar.(ANI)
Security personnel stand guard during 70th Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar.(ANI)

“It is shocking that the journalists were stopped in spite of their entry passes issued by the state government. The state government’s earlier decision to deny entry passes for covering the Republic Day function to many other senior journalists is equally deplorable,” the Guild said.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Six senior mediapersons who were stopped at the main gate of the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium by security personnel on Saturday, were Mehraj-ud-Din and Umar Mehraj of United States-based Associated Press Television Network, Danish Ismail who works for Reuters, Agence France Presse’s Tauseef Mustafa , ANI bureau chief Bilal Ahmad Bhat and Aman Farooq of a local Urdu daily, Kashmir Uzma.

Kashmir Editors Guild said that they were not allowed by the security men on the pretext that “police have got adverse verification report against them”.

The security wing of the J&K police had issued a letter signed by the additional superintendent of police (security), Kashmir, stating that the pass of six journalists issued to them were cancelled following an “adverse” report received from the CID.

The incident had triggered protests by other journalists many of whom decided not to cover the Republic Day function.

“This is an unprecedented state-sponsored attack on freedom of press and demands an inquiry into how lapses were allowed to take place,” the Editors Guild of India said, seeking an assurance from the government that such reprehensible acts will not be repeated.

Advisor to governor and in-charge home department, K Vijay Kumar on Saturday said that the entire process of security clearance for issuance of passes to journalists will be reviewed for better coordination in future. He said the incident occurred because of procedure followed by the police during events.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On