SAFMA, SAMC worried at media being directly targeted in Kashmir

Islamabad, Sep 2 (UNI) The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) and South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) said they were worried about the reports of media being directly targeted in an intensifying security crackdown in Kashmir.

Showing solidarity with Kashmiri media, SAFMA President Lakshman Gunasekara, Secretary General Imtiaz Alam, SAMC Chairman N Ram and Secretary General Najam Sethi said in a statement,''Instances like newspapers failing to print for several days because of severe restrictions on journalists' movement, suspension of cable news channels and injuries to journalists in targeted attacks by the security personnel create an environment of paralysis for the media, where only disinformation and rumour can hold sway.'' The statement also demanded the restoration of news channels on cable networks in Kashmir.

It said, ''Jammu and Kashmir is being deprived of all information in the absence of local channels and so, their operations should be restored immediately.'' UNI XC PD RP AS1409