Reiterating the need for highlighting the positives of Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for Information, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) said the premeditated negative media campaign launched by some news channels is adversely affecting State’s tourism industry and economy.The Minister expressed these views during his interaction with a delegation of Press Council of India (PCI) led by its Chairman Justice C K Prasad presently in Kashmir for the annual meeting of the Council.Deliberating on various media related issues, the Minister said the tourism is the backbone of JK's economy, and the State Government is taking various initiatives to revive the industry in a big way. However, the Minister said all the good work goes down the drain as a small incident in the State is blown out of proportion by a certain section of the media with some hidden agenda.The Minister said J&K is blessed with unparalleled natural beauty which not only mesmerizes domestic tourists, but it also attracts scenic lovers from worldwide to come and get enchanted. However, when a section of media instead of highlighting the scores of State's positives prefers to highlight a minor incident as a big issue it acts as deterrent for tourists who see it as a security concern.
Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said the State in general and the Kashmir Valley in particular has time again presented the beautiful examples of communal harmony. He said there are number of examples when the locals came out in scores to help the tourists when they were in need of help. He said even last year, when a Yatra bus had an accident it was the local population who being nearby extended the first aid and the necessary support required before the professional help reached the spot.The Minister said the State has a beauty of harbouring people from various faiths. He asked it would be hard to find an example across world. He said but that is what Kashmiris have and are doing and that is what “Kashmiriyat” is all about. Zulfkar Ali said unfortunately such instances are barely getting any time slot on those channels or newspapers who work overtime to present the State through negative lens.The Minister urged PCI members to reach out to such sections of the national media and make them understand that their chase of getting highest TRPs by using unprofessional tactics may damage the nation.He said it is high time that every section of the media starts acting responsibly so that the developmental works take priority over negativity.Chief Secretary B B Vyas, Director of Information Muneer-ul-Islam, and other concerned were present during the interaction.