Journalists on Tuesday marked the World Press Freedom Day by staging a protest demonstration against the State Government’s new ad-policy and during which several scribes were detained by police here at press enclave.The scribes were also protesting against government for not holding meeting to empanel new newspapers for official advertisement for several years.According to GNS correspondent, scores of scribes under the banner of JK Editors’ Association assembled at press enclave here today. Amid sloganeering and holding banners, the journalists lodged strong protest against the new ad policy of Government and also against non-empanelment of newspapers.As the protesting journalists tried to march towards Lal Chowk, a contingent of police stopped them. However the journalists tried to break police restriction but were detained and lodged in a nearby police station.The newly advertisement policy was announced by the Governor N. N. Vohra led government on March 04.
“Considering the rapidly changing operational environment and increase in the number of publications over the years, it has been considered necessary and appropriate to revise the existing Advertisement Policy issued way back in the year 1996 in order to bring it in sync with the obtaining requirement”, the government order had said. The JK Press Association led by Ghulam Hassan Kaloo has also castigated government over new ad-policy, saying it is anti-newspapers and totally detrimental to the interests the press.Pertinently, the newly registered newspapers of the J&K which meet the government’s objectives to promote responsible, constructive and healthy journalism are still awaiting empanelment by state’s information department.The publishers of the unapproved newspapers also had series of meetings with the former Chief Minister late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The proposal of JK Press Association in this regard was in principle agreed to by the late Chief Minister.The JK’s Information Department has not convened any such meeting from last more than five years as a result these newspapers are suffering a great deal. The JKPA has been demanding empanelment on the pattern of DAVP ads. (GNS)