Leading IIOJK newspapers subjected to discriminatory advertisement policy
Srinagar: Kashmiri newspapers, particularly those highlighting human rights violations and governance issues in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, are facing systematic discrimination in the allocation of government advertisements, the Legislative Assembly was told.
According to Kashmir Media Service, MLA Zadibal and Chief Spokesperson of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, Tanvir Sadiq, raised the issue during discussion on grants for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, terming the situation alarming for media freedom and transparency.
Opening his speech with the verse, “Nigah buland, sukhan dil-nawaz, jaan pur-soz — yehi hai rakht-e-safar, mir-e-karwaan ke liye,” Sadiq disclosed what he described as glaring irregularities in the distribution of government advertisements. He pointed out that advertisements are being disproportionately granted to obscure and little-known publications such as Fish Eye, Lake View, Bargi, Chinar, Bekhouf Shankh, Jumbo, Bhumi, Teesri Ankh and Teesri Duniya.
In contrast, he said, reputed and widely circulated media outlets — including Greater Kashmir, Excelsior, State Times, Rising Kashmir, Kashmir Uzma, Kashmir Times, Kashmir Life, Aftab, Srinagar Times and Tameel Irshad — have allegedly been sidelined despite their readership and professional standing.
He questioned whether advertisement allocations were being determined on objective criteria such as circulation and credibility or on favoritism and proximity. Calling for accountability, Sadiq demanded an immediate review of the 2020 Advertisement Policy to ensure fairness, transparency and equal treatment for credible media institutions.
