Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti pitches for ad support to local newspapers

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, MAY 22 (STC):
Suspension of government advertisements to local newspapers in Kashmir is a direct threat to the survival of print journalism in the region, said Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister and President Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement issued on Wednesday to media. She called the move as placing the region’s already fragile media landscape in jeopardy and sought urgent government intervention.
Addressing the issue, the PDP Chief stated, “The suspension of government advertisements is not just a financial blow; it’s an assault on the freedom of the press.”
Notably, the Government advertisements form the backbone of revenue for print media outlets in Jammu and Kashmir, especially given the absence of a thriving private sector. The abrupt discontinuation has had a devastating impact on the functioning of several publications large and small alike with many forced to downsize staff, reduce publication frequency, or shut down altogether.
“Our publications are struggling to survive, and with them, the voices of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mufti said. “Journalists, editors, printers, and support staff are being pushed into financial distress. This cannot be allowed to continue.”
The PDP president urged the government to act immediately. “I appeal to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take cognizance of this crisis and ensure that advertisements are restored to all empanelled newspapers without discrimination,” she said.
Mufti also criticized the current media policy, which she alleged has created a system of selective ad distribution lacking in transparency. “Over two dozen newspapers have been denied advertisements, often without any clear justification. This policy has bred fear and self-censorship,” she noted.
Calling the policy discriminatory and politically motivated, she warned that such practices weaken the democratic fabric of the region. “The media in Jammu and Kashmir already operates under immense pressure. Withholding advertisements is a deliberate attempt to weaken an already vulnerable industry. If we truly value democracy and press freedom, we must support and protect our media, not strangle it.” (STC)