Kashmir Cable Operators Face Step Motherly Attitude
Kaiser A.Mir
In Jammu and Kashmir, the local media has been muzzled by the state in different forms during the past two decade long political movement. While the state Government is continuing with the ban on the airing of news on local cable channels in Kashmir with the argument that the Cable Television Network Regulation Act 1995, does not allow broadcasting of news. But what is interesting to point out that Jammu cable operators seem to be immune from the act because in that part of world local cable operators are broadcasting news without such obstruction. The step-motherly treatment has annoyed the cable operators and public in valley who term the ban as unjust and biased.
The ban was first invoked in both regions of the state during Amarnath Land transfer agitation in 2008. While the ban on Jammu-based cable channels was lifted soon, in Kashmir the cable operators had to wait for almost a month.
But the story did not end here, it turned worst in 2010. During the 2010 summer unrest, in which more than 120 youth were killed, as the situation deteriorated in the Valley, the channels were asked to stop broadcasting news altogether. The Jammu and Kashmir government also banned the Iran based international satellite news channel, Press TV, in September 2010. The local administration had accused the cable channels of “fomenting trouble” by launching “misinformation campaign.”
But the story did not end here, it turned worst in 2010. During the 2010 summer unrest, in which more than 120 youth were killed, as the situation deteriorated in the Valley, the channels were asked to stop broadcasting news altogether. The Jammu and Kashmir government also banned the Iran based international satellite news channel, Press TV, in September 2010. The local administration had accused the cable channels of “fomenting trouble” by launching “misinformation campaign.”
“The government is playing double standards, how can they use the same law differently in two parts of an unified state. At one side we are told that airing of news on cable was prohibited under law, but on the other side they are allowing airing o f news in Jammu. We fail to understand then under which law does the Jammu cable operators broadcast new. Besides it is also unconstitutional that a local channel cannot broadcast news but non-local channels can do it freely. This ban has adversely affected our work and local cable industry on whole has been the victim because people were subscribing to this service as they used to get information about local issues, otherwise for entertainment purpose there are many other cable services like DTH etc. Hence government must shun its double standards and review their decision and revoke ban immediately”, said the representatives of Kashmir cable operator.
While speaking to a vivid viewer of local cable news Sheeraz Bhat said, “The ban must be revoked because in a democratic society, the voice of media is voice of people and to suppress it is totally undemocratic. Many local issues were raised by local media that were not taken by any national or international media channels. The issues like inflation, black marketing, unemployment, social issues and other problems of people were highlighted and brought in notice of administration”.
Sometime back a senior official in this regard had stated-“We have told the cable operators to adhere to the Cable Network Act 1995 in letter and spirit as under this act they can’t telecast news”, D.C. Srinagar, Mehraj Ahmed Kakroo had told local media . The District Magistrate had then said the government is not imposing restrictions on media but cable operators can’t go against the law by telecasting news.
Pertinently, the divisional administration recently had stated that the Government has decided to review the ban on cable news. “We have not taken any decision on lifting ban as of now. We will review it. If cable operators do not indulge in misinformation and disinformation campaign, government has no problem (to lift the ban). However any decision taken would not apply to foreign news channels banned in Kashmir,” Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Samoon had told reporters. Samoon had further said the situation in Kashmir has “improved considerably.” “Under Right to Information people have right to know about the happenings around them. The cable channels have been a source of entertainment for people. (But) these days’ people usually get news through newspapers. The cable operators (in Kashmir) can focus on local issue of public importance which national new channels and other regional channels do not perform,” he had said.
But recently in a contrasting note the Senior cabinet minister Taj Mohiuddin came out openly against the reviewing of ban and said, “I have not heard of lifting ban on telecast of news by local cable channels. And if there is any such move, I will oppose it and take up the matter with the Chief Minister. I stand for banning these channels as they violate ethics and cause nuisance. Everybody cannot become journalist and these cable operators openly violate ethics of journalism through non-professionalism.”
The sane analysis is that those advocating ban should look at the scenario related to cable news in Jammu and if the ban is not lifted in Kashmir the same paradigm should be followed in Jammu. According to sane voices the current attitude of Government towards Kashmir Cable operators in Kashmir is clearly step motherly and un-democratic.
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