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| Politically "correct", ethically wrong | | Govt slaps advertising ban on ‘select’ newspapers | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 7: The latest victim of the "state-sponsored" crusade against the freedom of press seems to be an old Jammu-based daily which is now fighting the government onslaught.
The government slapped an advertising boycot on The Northlines, claiming it was too critical of its policies. The reason for this ban was, however, a recent report which, the government felt, harmed the reputation of its "legislators".
The ban indisputably amounted to "economic sanctions" aimed at stifling the freedom of press and the shackling of audacious writing in newspapers by "politically correct laws". The unfortunate curb on the upcoming dailies has been forced because they do not toe the "illogical" government line. The Omar-led government's this move is definitely not imbued with the idea of accepting healthy criticism.
By imposing curbs on media, the government has made it clear that only those media organisations would get more advertisement in future which unconditionally toed its line. This is clearly undemocratic and unacceptable.
Intolerantly trying to snuff out the "opposition" in local dailies, the government seems to be making systematic efforts through its executing agencies to gag the freedom of press. His is the sheer misuse of its power to silence the voice of the fourth estate in the state. The ban is totally arbitrary and no cabinet decision was taken in this regard.
When contacted, the state information department did not confirm the ban, but agreed that the advertisement had been stopped to some dailies due to "unknown" reasons. The department said it had been refrained from advertising in select newspapers because of their "anti-government stance and unwarranted criticism of government policies".
Asked to elaborate on the ban, the department claimed it did not know the discussions (that led to the ban) but one of the issues could be the position of the select newspapers with regard to when it covers government activities.
When its attention was drawn towards the point that it was not a solid reason for the ban, the department chose to say "anti-government stories might have offended the politicians to take such a decision".
Though there were different voices in the government circles behind the ban, one thing was clear that it was aimed at throttling the upcoming small newspapers financially. Government is the single largest advertising client in the state. Government can legally or illegally impose sanctions on newspapers, which are not of its choice, but all these newspapers are critical where and when necessary, and would just live with that. Let the government do whatever it wants. It cannot suppress the freedom of the press.
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