The IFJ and its affiliate
organisation, the National Union of Journalists (India),
are concerned to learn that the government in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has
sent out an advisory to all media organisations within its jurisdiction,
warning against the “publication of certain objectionable material”.
Recipients of the Jammu and Kashmir
government advisory have been put on notice that they are to “refrain from
publication of such objectionable and seditious material”.
Failure to comply, in terms of the
advisory, would constrain the Jammu
and Kashmir state government to “take action” under
rules already notified. These allow for the withdrawal of official advertising
from non-compliant media organisations.
The government restrictions come as nominations open in state assembly
elections amid calls for a boycott by certain political elements.
“The use of a term such as
‘sedition’ in official notifications involving the press is a matter of serious
concern for all journalists,” said the IFJ Asia-Pacific.
“We urge the Jammu and Kashmir government to delink their
ad placement policy from the editorial stance of particular newspapers in the
interests of genuine media freedom.”
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents
over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries