{"id":199493,"date":"2026-05-03T09:48:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T04:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kmsnews.org\/kms\/?p=199493"},"modified":"2026-05-03T09:48:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T04:48:20","slug":"democracy-needs-free-press-but-iiojk-journalists-face-huge-pressure-farooq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kmsnews.org\/kms\/2026\/05\/03\/democracy-needs-free-press-but-iiojk-journalists-face-huge-pressure-farooq.html","title":{"rendered":"Democracy needs free press, but IIOJK journalists face \u2018huge pressure\u2019: Farooq"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Srinagar: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah said a free and independent press is the backbone of any real democracy, as it keeps citizens informed and leaders accountable.<\/p>\n

According to Kashmir Media Service, marking International Press Freedom Day, he noted that Kashmir\u2019s media fraternity continues to work under \u201ctremendous pressure.\u201d He said no society can benefit from democracy without giving journalists the freedom and respect they deserve.<\/p>\n

Farooq saluted local reporters for their courage in defending public rights despite restrictions and challenges. He also paid tribute to journalists who died while on duty, calling their sacrifice \u201cthe ultimate service to truth.\u201d He added that free thought and free speech go hand in hand with a free press, but urged the media to maintain high standards of responsibility and dignity.<\/p>\n

NC president\u2019s statement comes amid ongoing concerns over media curbs in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where press groups say reporting remains difficult.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Srinagar: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah said a free and independent press is the backbone of any real democracy, as it keeps citizens informed and leaders accountable. According to Kashmir Media Service, marking International Press Freedom Day, he noted that Kashmir\u2019s media fraternity continues to work under \u201ctremendous pressure.\u201d He said no society can …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":182736,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-199493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t