'Press freedom gagged in Kashmir'

Jammu-based senior journalist Anuradha Bhasin criticised the government for setting up of the Media Facilitation Centre (MFC) for journalists. She referred to this as a 'challenge' to press freedom where free working without any boundaries has been denied.

Mumbai: Ever since the Centre revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and modified Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution the freedom of expression in the Valley has been cut down and journalists are finding it hard to file stories.

Speaking with ETV Bharat, Jammu-based senior journalist Anuradha Bhasin claimed that the freedom of expression in the Valley has been curtailed. During a press conference, she spoke about the ground reality of the government set up Media Facilitation Centre (MFC).

Bhasin went on to describe the plight of the journalists who struggle to file stories every day. She referred to the publications from the Valley as 'insignificant' as that had very little to do with press freedom.

On the communication clampdown, Bhasin criticised the government for setting up of the Media Facilitation Centre (MFC) for journalists. She referred to this as a 'challenge' to press freedom where free working without any boundaries has been denied.

For 'freedom' to exist, fear has to removed, constant monitoring, curtailing the freedom to ask questions has to stop, she said.

She also spoke about barring the right to ask questions or receiving answers from the already posed ones.

When asked about the claims of poor conditions in the valley post-independence, Bhasin said that the conditions in the context of 'freedom' has kept varying over time. She also stated that it would be 'unfair' to compare today's globalised situation to what it was 50 years ago.

Explaining the importance of 'democracy' in the 21st century, Bhasin believes that the rights of the people must be expandable with time than being curbed.

The Jammu-based journalist said that the Centre must first exercise its power within the framework of the Constitution.

She asked her fellow mates to be fearless and said integrated voices from people have the potential to overthrow any powerful, extremist or tyrannical school of thought.

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