As “undemocratic” ban on daily newspaper Kashmir Reader entered 14th day, journalists on Saturday continued its sit-in protests at Lal Chowk here.Carrying banners and placards to denounce the “undemocratic and arbitrary ban”, the journalists assembled at Press Enclave and held a brief sit-in. The protesting journalists were carrying placards which read ‘Withdraw gag on media’, ‘Withdraw ban on Kashmir Reader’, ‘end curbs on Kashmir Reader’ and “End Gag on Kashmir Reader’.The journalist fraternity said that the protests will continue until the gag order is not revoked by the authorities.The ban on Kashmir Reader has already evoked widespread criticism, both in national and international media.“Both India and Pakistan rank abysmally among democracies in the World Press Freedom Index. India ranks 133rd out of 180, and Pakistan ranks 147th. The governments of both countries clearly have lines that journalists should not cross, and which most do not cross for fear of repercussions,” Washington Post concluded in a report referring to ban on the daily newspaper Kashmir Reader and episode involving Cyril Almeida, a columnist and reporter at Dawn, Pakistan's most prominent English-language newspaper, who was put on the “Exit Control List,” a roster of those forbidden from leaving the country.
In an editorial, Indian National newspaper Deccan Herald said that bans on newspapers and media channels, censorship and other methods are against the spirit of democracy and a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of expression. “Governments in Kashmir have resorted to all these methods in the past. The ban on Kashmir Reader was imposed arbitrarily,” it said.It said the government clamped down on the newspaper perhaps was to send out a warning to others.“The media is under heavy pressure in Kashmir. Some weeks ago, the government had shut down all printing presses and temporarily banned all newspapers for three days. Other channels of information including social media have also faced controls and curbs,” it said, emphasizing that media freedom is especially relevant and important in disturbed conditions like those in Kashmir. “Violation of normal constitutional rights can only worsen the situation, and it cannot be justified on any pretext,” it added. (KNS)