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India Cuts Off Government Advertising to Over 30 Kashmiri Outlets

Bilal Hussain

   SRINAGAR - News outlets in the Indian-controlled region of Kashmir are
   under rising financial pressure, as authorities bar more than 30 media
   houses from state advertising.

   The region's Department of Information and Public Relations this month
   removed 10 newspapers in Kashmir and 24 publications in the Jammu
   region from a list of outlets approved for state ad revenue -- known as
   being empaneled -- following a meeting late last year.

   Although some were removed for not meeting requirements on areas such
   as circulation, several were told they had allegedly violated a media
   policy implemented in May.

   Under the new media policy, the region's director of information has
   power to immediately suspend advertisements if a publication is deemed
   to have misrepresented information, violated a guideline or failed to
   meet standards, including minimum circulation figures.

   The policy states it was introduced to build public trust, raise
   awareness of government initiatives and combat fake news or attempts to
   use media to incite or "propagate any information prejudicial to the
   sovereignty and integrity of India."

   The media policy and allocation of government advertising raises two
   key issues, media analysts and press groups say. First, the loss of an
   important source of income for many of the region's papers could lead
   to journalists being laid off. Secondly, publishing houses could make
   cuts to the number or size of editions printed, or even be forced to
   close news outlets. It could also encourage self-censorship.

   The move is seen as yet another means for India to put pressure on news
   outlets in Kashmir. Journalists in the region have faced increased
   attacks, detentions and pressure, as well as an ongoing ban on
   high-speed internet since India's prime minister revoked Kashmir's
   special status in August 2019.

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