As the world marks World Press Freedom Day, Kashmir—a region entangled in decades of conflict and militarization—stands as a stark reminder of how press freedom has been eroded but systematically dismantled. For journalists and rights defenders in Kashmir, this day is less a celebration than a moment of reckoning: a reminder of vanishing truths, criminalized dissent, and the relentless suppression of voices that challenge the official narrative.
A History of Suppression, Accelerated After 2019
Press freedom in Kashmir has been more a myth than reality, clouded by censorship, intimidation, and a deeply entrenched culture of surveillance. Long before the 2019 constitutional upheaval, journalists in the region have been forced to navigate a perilous landscape, working under harsh conditions and balancing their craft on a razor’s edge beneath the shadow of systematic repression.
Editors and publishers faced relentless intimidation—from arbitrary detentions and raids to the throttling of advertising revenues—as successive governments weaponized laws to silence dissent. The state’s playbook was consistent: smear critics as “anti-national,” shutter outlets overnight, and criminalize the mere act of reporting on abuses by “security” forces.
Even in earlier decades, Kashmir’s press operated under a climate of pervasive censorship, where truth-telling meant risking careers, livelihoods, and even lives. The abrogation of Article 370 did not create this crisis—it simply stripped away the pretense of rights that were never truly granted.
The Indian government’s draconian measures—justified under the guise of “national security”—have transformed Kashmir into one of the world’s most militarized regions and one of the most dangerous places for journalists. The new Media Policy-2020, which mandates government scrutiny of all published content and penalizes outlets for “anti-national” reporting, has institutionalized censorship. Journalists now operate under the constant threat of raids, detention, and surveillance, forcing many into self-censorship or exile.
Detentions, Surveillance, and the Erasure of Truth
In recent years, Kashmiri journalists like Aasif Sultan, Fahad Shah, and Sajad Gul have been arrested under India’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a counter-terrorism law weaponized to criminalize reporting. Newspapers are routinely forced to trim critical coverage, while surveillance of newsrooms and individual journalists has become a new normal. The state’s iron grip ensures that stories of extrajudicial killings, torture, and mass arrests—particularly those implicating security forces—are buried before they reach the public. This deliberate erasure of truth denies Kashmiris not only their right to information but also their right to justice.
The Rise of ‘Godi Media’ vs. Marginalization of Kashmiri Journalism
While Kashmir’s press is muzzled, mainstream Indian media—often dubbed “Godi media” (lapdog media)—has become a mouthpiece for majoritarian politics. Outlets aligned with the ruling BJP and RSS amplify narratives of hyper-nationalism, Islamophobia, and militarism, reducing Kashmir to a “terrorism” trope while ignoring its humanitarian crises. After incidents like the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, where tourists were killed by unknown attackers in disputed circumstances, these outlets pivoted to war-mongering rhetoric, painting Kashmiris as threats rather than victims. Meanwhile, Kashmiri journalists striving to report on ground realities are excluded from national discourse, their voices marginalized as “anti-India” or “separatist.”
Misinformation, Fear, and the Weaponization of Hate
The consequences of this media ecosystem are dire. Misinformation and disinformation campaigns aimed at demonising the Kashmiri Muslims, normalise state violence, and fuel communal polarization continue unabated. Hate speeches by prominent TV anchors—calling for the expulsion or punishment of minorities—has become routine, emboldening vigilante violence. In Kashmir, where every headline is filtered through the prism of occupation, the press is not just battling censorship but also a psychological war to delegitimize its very existence.
World Press Freedom Day: A Call to Break the Silence
On this 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, the UN’s theme—“A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”—resonates differently in Kashmir. Here, the crisis is one of humanity: the right to speak, to mourn, and to resist erasure. Kashmiri journalists, often working without bylines or institutional support, continue to document stories at great personal risk. Their resilience is a testament to the enduring power of truth in the darkest of times.
As a Kashmiri rights activist, I urge the international community to:
1. Influence India to repeal laws like the UAPA and Media Policy-2020 that stifles free expression.
2. Amplify Kashmiri voices in global forums, ensuring their stories are not erased.
3. Hold tech giants accountable for enabling state surveillance and the spread of hate speech.
4. Support independent media in Kashmir through funding and legal advocacy.
The Indian state’s assault on press freedom in Kashmir is not an isolated issue—it is part of a global authoritarian playbook to crush dissent. Today, as we honor journalists killed worldwide, let us remember that in Kashmir, the war on truth is a war on existence. Without press freedom, there can be no justice. Without justice, there can be no peace.
The writer is Chairman Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR). can be reached saleeemwani@hotmail.com. X. @sultan1913
