KEG, PC concerned over media’s plight
Srinagar: Kashmir Editor’s Guild (KEG) and Kashmir Press Club has expressed concern over the recurrent incidents of media bashing in the Valley.
While on Friday, a group of journalists covering the Friday congregation at Jamia masjid was roughed up by the security personnel, a senior journalist has been asked to vacate his official residence for unexplained reasons, KEG said in a statement issued here.
At least two photo journalists were beaten while covering a protest demonstration after the Friday congregation was over. This happened in presence of some senior journalists who were also covering the development, KEG said in a statement.
KEG reiterates its stand that a free media is in everybody’s interest and should be permitted to operate without obstructions.
A free media is fundamental to democracy. The guild is calling upon the security grid to ensure the media operates freely without becoming the news, it added.
Meanwhile, the KPC also condemned the assault on two photojournalists in downtown Srinagar while they were performing their professional duties.
The two journalists identified as Shafat Farooq, working as Cameraperson for BBC and Saqib Majeed, a freelance photographer, were beaten after protests broke out in the Nowhatta area of Srinagar this afternoon after culmination of congregational Friday prayers.
“As we were covering the protestors, there was a chase by the police. After the situation had settled a policeman came from nowhere and hit me in my back. Later on as the situation subsided; I asked the cop why he hit me. However, the senior police officials present on the spot apologized for what had happened”, Shafat told The Kashmir Press Club management. Worried, Shafat added that he was feeling severe back pain after this assault.
Shafat said that another photojournalist was also beaten during this chase by the police.
“We were dispensing our professional duties however soon after a police party chased us and one of them caught me by my collar, slapped me several times and even dragged me on the road”, Saqib was quoted in the news reports.
While taking note of this assault and condemning the police behavior, the Kashmir Press Club urges upon the police authorities to sensitize its lower ranks about its conduct/response towards the press/ media persons during such contingent situations.
The KPC also hopes that the press is allowed to conduct its professional duties without fear and coercion.
