Department of Journalism and Mass communication (DJMC), Islamic University of Science and Technology today observed ‘World Press freedom Day’.On the occasion faculty members and the students deliberated on the issues pertaining to the ‘Freedom of Press’ with special references to the status of the media freedom in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. On this day, they had organized a formal session discussing the history of the press regulations in the state.“Be it the tenure of Maharajas, Sheikh Abddullah, Ghulam Mohamad Bakshi or Ghulam Mohamad Sadiq, media of Kashmir has never breathed in free air”, said Dr. Ruheela Hassan.
“Curbing the media and the threats to Journalists are not new to them. The suppressing laws made and amended in one regime were implemented in other regimes. No law favouring the freedom of the press and encouraging its role has been framed yet. The press in Kashmir always had to make extra efforts to survive and grow but unfortunately their struggle is not well documented. Coordinator Print Journalism, Dr Rabia Noor on the occasion said, “working here is a struggle between survival and professional ethics. She suggested students to also explore the alternate sources of media like web portals”. Trainees of the course also shared their experiences on this occasion that concluded with a quiz program. (CNS)