Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD)Former Chief Minister and President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, has voiced grave concern over the continued suspension of government advertisements to local newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as a direct threat to the survival of print journalism in the region.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mufti remarked, “The suspension of government advertisements is not merely a financial setback; it is an assault on the freedom of the press.” She warned that this measure has pushed the already fragile media landscape of the region to the brink, and called for immediate government intervention.
Government advertisements constitute the financial backbone of print media outlets in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the absence of a robust private sector. The abrupt discontinuation has severely affected numerous publications—both large and small—forcing many to downsize, reduce their publication frequency, or shut down entirely.
“Our publications are struggling to stay afloat, 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 situation cannot be allowed to persist.”
The PDP president appealed to the government for swift action. “I urge Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take cognisance of this crisis and ensure that advertisements are restored to all empanelled newspapers without bias or discrimination,” she stated.
Mufti also criticised the current media policy, which she alleged has fostered a system of selective and non-transparent advertisement distribution. “More than two dozen newspapers have been denied advertisements, often without any clear justification. This policy has cultivated fear and self-censorship,” she noted.
Calling the policy discriminatory and politically motivated, she cautioned that such practices erode the democratic fabric of the region. “The media in Jammu and Kashmir already functions under tremendous pressure. Withholding advertisements is a calculated move to weaken an already vulnerable industry. If we truly value democracy and press freedom, we must support and protect our media—not suffocate it.”(DD)