Editors Guild raises concern over curbs on journalists in Kashmir

The Editors Guild of India (EGI) on Wednesday expressed concern over what it described as the “continued repression of legitimate journalistic activity” by authorities in Kashmir and urged them to adhere to legal due process in their dealings with the media.

The EGI’s statement comes amid reports that several national and freelance journalists were asked by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to appear at Srinagar’s Cyber Police Station, where they were allegedly questioned about their news reports. The J&K Police had not issued any official statement on the matter.

In its statement, the EGI said it “notes with grave concern the continued repression of legitimate journalistic activity by the authorities in Kashmir.”

“In the latest instance, several journalists, including many affiliated with leading national media organisations, were repeatedly summoned to Srinagar’s Cyber Crime Police Station, where they were questioned about routine news reports,” the statement, signed by the Guild’s president, general secretary, and treasurer, said.

The Guild said that, according to reports, some journalists “were also pressured to sign bonds or affidavits stating that they would not undertake any activity that could disturb the peace,” without clarity on what such activity entailed.

“While the police authorities are yet to clarify the reasons for such action, the Guild reiterates that there can be no space for such arbitrary actions in a democracy, of which the media is a key pillar,” the statement said.

The EGI described the arbitrary summoning and questioning of journalists, as well as attempts to obtain affidavits under duress, as “tantamount to coercion and intimidation of the media in pursuit of its legitimate duties.”

“This is the latest instance in a series of increasingly threatening, intimidatory, and coercive actions taken against professional journalists by the Kashmir Police. Numerous instances of journalists being summoned and questioned by the police have been reported in the past,” it added.

Calling on the authorities to desist from such practices, the Guild said these actions restrict free speech and prevent the media from performing its core functions.

“The Guild urges the authorities to act transparently and follow legal due process in their dealings with the media,” the statement said.