Onlykashmir.in News Desk
KUPWARA: The Journalists Association Kupwara (JAK) has elected Fayaz Hameed as its President and Kamran Ashraf Bhat as General Secretary, following a decisive vote in the general body election held on Thursday.
The election was organised by the JAK Election Cell and monitored by the Bar Association Kupwara, with the process conducted in a transparent and democratic manner. The poll followed a membership registration drive and the preparation of an electoral roll, steps that gave the exercise institutional credibility in a district where organised journalist bodies have long worked with limited resources.
Observing the election were Advocate Shabir Ahmad Bhat, President of the Bar Association Kupwara, Advocate Waseem Sajad, General Secretary, and Advocate Aijaz Ahmad Reshi, Advisor. In his keynote address, Bhat commended the Election Cell for ensuring a fair membership registration process and a transparent electoral roll. Sajad and Reshi also praised JAK members for upholding democratic values and integrity throughout the election.
Thanking the members and the Bar Association Kupwara for their support, newly elected President Fayaz Hameed pledged to lead with fairness and integrity. He said he would uphold the values of journalism and stand by journalists committed to professional ethics.
General Secretary Kamran Ashraf Bhat outlined an agenda focused on media monitoring, internal accountability, professional networking, workshops, collaboration with bar associations, and support for journalists committed to truthful reporting. He said, “the association would work to strengthen its institutional presence, establish an office, engage with journalists in remote areas, and build a united front to protect the integrity and credibility of journalism.”
Kupwara, a border district with remote and hard to reach areas, presents distinct challenges for reporters, from limited connectivity to difficult terrain. An association with a physical office and outreach to journalists in far-flung areas could provide a platform for training, grievance redressal and collective representation. The stress on internal accountability and ethical standards also comes at a time when the media profession faces close scrutiny over credibility, making professional norms a priority for local bodies.
Key office-bearers and teams will be nominated soon, as the new leadership begins to shape its structure and work plan. The coming weeks are expected to show how quickly the promised office, workshops and outreach programmes take shape, and how effectively the association can build the united front its leaders have spoken of.
