Srinagar, Dec 13: A group of senior journalists in the Kashmir Valley, who were recently denied accreditation on what they claim to be flimsy grounds, have welcomed the decision of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to review the accreditation process. The move came after numerous journalists raised concerns about unfair rejections and the treatment of media professionals.
During a meeting at the Civil Secretariat, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to revisit the rejected applications and address discrepancies in the accreditation process. He instructed concerned officials to ensure that applicants are notified of any errors in their submissions, allowing them the opportunity to rectify them and secure accreditation.
Journalists, many of whom have been in the field for over two decades, expressed their gratitude for the Chief Minister’s intervention. They had been vocal about what they described as a biased process, with several claiming that seasoned journalists were sidelined while newcomers—some of whom emerged only after the abrogation of Article 370—were granted accreditation.
“It is highly encouraging that the Chief Minister has acknowledged the discrepancies in the accreditation process,” said a senior journalist who had been deprived of his accreditation.
“It was disheartening to see experienced journalists being sidelined and even humiliated while others with questionable credentials were given priority.”
Journalists have also raised concerns about the denial of access passes to senior members of the media. “It’s not just about accreditation; passes to cover events are also being denied to senior journalists, while individuals with doubtful credentials are being favored,” another journalist stated.
“We hope that the DIPR will act on the Chief Minister’s directive, allowing them to rectify any possible errors in their applications and restore their rightful place in the media accreditation process,” they said. [KNT]
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