Mehbooba asks country’s media watchdogs to help in correct, contextual portrayal of JK

Press Council of India team calls on Chief Minister

Says State’s media fraternity performed even in difficult times, maintained professional integrity

SRINAGAR, JULY 21: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has asked country’s top media watchdog organizations to help in correct and contextual portrayal of the happenings in the State.

Interacting with the visiting team of Press Council of India which met her here today, the Chief Minister said a section of country’s media has been indulging in debates, discussions and reportage about the State and its people, most of which is far from reality. She said this section needs to be reminded that by resorting to this diatribe about the State, they are not doing any service to the country but alienating further people of the State.

Headed by Mr. S. N. Sinha, the Press Council of India (PCI) team comprised Mr. C.K. Nayak, and Dr. Suman Gupta. The team has been on a weeklong tour of the State.

Mehbooba Mufti told the visiting delegation that need of the hour is to focus on commonalities, reconciliation and healing the wounds where country’s media has a very critical role to play. She said positive reporting about the State and its people by the media outlets would not only create a soothing impact on the minds of people here, it would also help the people of rest of the country in understanding Jammu & Kashmir and its people better.

The Chief Minister invited the Press Council of India to hold part of its Golden jubilee celebrations in the State. She advised the visiting delegation to use their organisation in clearing misperceptions about the State in a section of the media, and consequently people, in the country.  

Mehbooba Mufti informed the visiting delegation of many steps being taken by her Government for the betterment and welfare of media fraternity in the State. She said she has ordered the setting up of an Aiwann e Sahafat at Srinagar for which a building has already been identified. Also, she told the visiting delegation that, her Government is working on a welfare policy for journalists which would incorporate all their needs and problems.

The Chief Minister told the PCI delegation that the media fraternity in the State has performed in very difficult and extreme situations in the past and its professional competence can be matched with the best in the country. “Many of them lost their lives but did not compromise on the professional integrity,” she said.

The Chief Minister said many developmental projects have been started in the State by her Government which on completion would change the social and economic profile of the State. She regretted that had the tempo of peace initiatives and development of 2002 been kept intact after 2005 things would have been far better   in the State today.

The visiting delegation assured the Chief Minister that the organisation would always be available for maintaining good Government-media relations and sorting out all the outstanding issues in this regard.

Director, Information Department, Muneer ul Islam was also present on the occasion.