Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while addressing the Legislative Assembly recently, highlighted key reforms in the print media sector, including fair distribution of government advertisements, tackling fake news, and discouraging newspapers from functioning merely as platforms for official press notes.
However, in his speech, Abdullah overlooked a crucial concern— the plight of fresh newspapers that have been sustaining themselves independently for over nine years without any government advertisement support. Despite their consistent presence in print and their contribution to journalism, these publications remain unrecognised by the Information Department and are yet to be empanelled for official advertisements.
While the Chief Minister stressed financial independence for media houses, these self-sustaining newspapers continue to struggle for recognition. Media stakeholders are now urging the government to address this long-overdue issue on priority, ensuring that fresh newspapers receive their due place in Jammu and Kashmir’s media landscape