Ganderbal Press Association Calls for Transparency and Accountability from Government Officials
In a concerning development for press freedom, journalists in Ganderbal were barred from covering Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent meetings in the district. The Ganderbal Press Association expressed outrage, stating that local reporters from various media outlets were denied entry to critical discussions held at the Mini Secretariat and Dak Bungalow on Saturday.
The association’s statement highlighted the unfortunate situation, emphasizing that journalists were unable to fulfill their professional responsibilities. A member of the journalism community noted that while Abdullah had previously pledged to support press freedom, the recent restrictions cast doubt on those promises.
In response to this incident, the Ganderbal Press Association has announced a boycott of National Conference events and called on the Chief Minister to provide an explanation for the media’s exclusion. The association’s press release serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles for press access and the need for government accountability in fostering an environment conducive to free journalism.