Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 8: In a bid to further professionalize journalism in Jammu and Kashmir at par with the global requirements, the State News Media Accreditation Committee (SNMAC) recently took some path-breaking decisions with regard to grant of accreditation to journalists working in the state.
The committee, which met under the chairmanship of Director Information and Public Relations, Muneer-ul-Islam and had selected media persons from across the state as its members, made recommendations on the merits of each application in light of the revised guidelines laid down in State News Media Accreditation Policy-2017.
While there were already 262 accredited journalists who had applied for renewal of the accreditation apart from 172 fresh applications, some of the cases didn't qualify the prescribed norms. "Some of the applicants were found have to given up journalism years ago and were presently doing business," said a journalist from Kashmir, who attended the meeting.
Officials said it was also decided in the meeting that the "credentials and credibility" of a news media representative should be also taken into consideration while deciding about his/her Accreditation.
Official documents, a copy of which lies with Early Times, reveal that editors of newspapers / periodicals, stringers, correspondents, reporters , or photo and video journalists working as part-timers will not be entitled to the accreditation.
The SNMAC also took decision on giving accreditation to freelance journalists. "Freelance media persons who have earlier worked as fulltime correspondents/ photojournalists/ video journalists/ cartoonists with a news media organization for a minimum period of 15 years shall be considered for accreditation by the SNMAC. Accreditation shall be given as a matter of honor for his or her contribution in the field on journalism," the official documents said. "However, such freelance, news media representatives shall have to provide documentary evidence at the time of renewal of accreditation to the fact that they have not completely given up the profession and are contributing to newspapers/periodicals and other news media organizations," the official document reads. |
