Jammu and Kashmir Government to Reconsider Ad Spending Conditions

IFJ Urges Jammu and Kashmir Government to Reconsider Ad Spending Conditions
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."
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries.
MORE INFORMATION:
For further information, contact IFJ Asia-Pacific, tel: +612 9333 0919, or the IFJ, International Press Centre, Residence Palace, Block C, 155 Rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium, tel: +322 235 2200 / 2207, fax: +322 235 2219,
e-mail: ernest.sagaga@ifj.org, Internet: http://www.ifj.org/
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/98286/