Onlykashmir.in News Desk
In a landmark move to modernize its media framework, the Jammu & Kashmir Government announced on Tuesday that it is crafting a comprehensive new media policy designed to integrate emerging digital platforms, including social media, news portals, and websites, into its empanelment framework.
This development, disclosed in response to a cut motion by MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, underscores the Union Territory’s intent to adapt to the rapidly evolving media ecosystem while ensuring alignment with national standards.
The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR-JK) is spearheading the policy formulation, with a clear mandate to harmonize J&K’s media landscape with the benchmarks set by the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) formerly Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP).
“The new media policy seeks to reflect the dynamic shifts in journalism and communication, ensuring that emerging platforms are recognized and regulated effectively,” the government stated, signalling a progressive approach to digital journalism.
The announcement comes amid revelations about the contentious state of the Kashmir Press Club, which was vacated due to internal disputes among its members. Previously housed in a building provided by the Estates Department in Press Enclave, the facility is now under temporary occupation by the Jammu & Kashmir Police.
The government further noted that the registration of the Kashmir Press Club remains in limbo, pending clearance from the Criminal Investigation Department. Meanwhile the Press Club of Kashmir has been officially registered by the Department of Industries and Commerce.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has emerged as a pivotal figure in steering this overhaul. In a recent review meeting with the Information Department, he emphasized the need for transparency and equity in advertisement allocations, urging officials to adopt DAVP’s criteria for assessing circulation and setting rates. “There must be no perception of favouritism,” Abdullah asserted, advocating for a robust, impartial mechanism to support media houses. He also underscored the growing influence of social media, directing the department to amplify the government’s digital presence through strategic campaigns.
The accreditation process for journalists, long a point of contention, is also under scrutiny. Abdullah has instructed officials to re-evaluate rejected applications, a move that could address grievances among the region’s press corps.
Sources within the administration, speaking exclusively to Onlykashmir.in, hinted at an impending hike in advertisement rates, potentially effective within months, alongside plans to grant accreditation to deserving journalists, fulfilling a decade-long demand.
The policy shift also promises to onboard news portals, a step lauded by young journalists who have waited for more than a decade for formal recognition, though it was proposed in the J&K Media Policy 2020 but never implemented.
Insiders revealed Onlykashmir.in that a partially functional software system is already distributing advertisements among print media, with plans to extend its scope to digital platforms.
However, this digital boom has a flip side, the proliferation of self-styled journalists and news anchors on social media has sparked debates about credibility and regulation in an increasingly crowded information space.
Meanwhile, the President and Patron of the newly registered Press Club of Kashmir, Mohammad Saleem Pandit, welcomed the government’s stance. In a statement to Onlykashmir.in, he expressed optimism about the policy’s potential to strengthen journalistic institutions under Chief Minister Abdullah’s leadership.
“This multifaceted initiative, blending digital integration, accreditation reform, and financial incentives, marks a sophisticated evolution in J&K’s media policy. The government’s efforts could redefine the interplay between power, press, and the public in an era of unprecedented digital transformation, thanks to MLA Mr. Waheed Para for raising this issue on the floor of the house.”
– Bilal Bashir Bhat, Editor, Onlykashmir.in
