Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has voiced concerns over the systematic use of government advertisements to stifle press freedom in Indian illegally occupied occupied Jammu and Kashmir. According to Kashmir Media Service, in a post on the social media platform X, Mehbooba highlighted the withholding of advertisements to a majority of local news outlets by the Information Department, even three months after the new "popular government" led by Omar Abdullah assumed office. Additionally, she flagged delays in renewing press accreditations for senior journalists, further tightening the media landscape.

“It’s been over three months since the popular government took office, yet the Information Department continues to withhold advertisements to most news outlets,” Mehbooba wrote. She urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address these pressing issues to ensure the free and fair functioning of the press. India’s strategy of leveraging advertisements to influence and control the media in IIOJK has long been criticized by rights groups and media organizations. Over the years, the withholding of government ads has been used as a mechanism to financially pressure newspapers critical of the administration. This practice intensified post-August 5, 2019, after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, with several local dailies losing access to advertisements for their refusal to toe the government’s line.

The policy’s intent, as noted by analysts, is twofold: to weaken the financial backbone of dissenting voices and to promote pro-government narratives through selective ad allocation. Critics argue that the media in IIOJK has been forced into a precarious position, with many outlets either shutting down or significantly altering their editorial tone to secure government support. In December, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a meeting of the Information Department, where discussions were held on revising the advertisement policy for newspapers and media houses. However, Mehbooba Mufti’s concerns underscore the harsh reality, revealing that promises of fairness remain unfulfilled.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)