Is curbing Press freedom the policy of district administration?

Is curbing Press freedom the policy of district administration?

POONCH TODAY NEWS

POONCH: Although, the backbone of any place is an independent, professional and responsible media and its the responsibility of press to inform, criticize and stimulate debate on various day to day issues, but it seems that district administration Poonch is following the policy of curbing the freedom of Press. In this border district of Poonch, press has been playing a bigger role right from militancy days till now as all issues of Poonch got due attention of local, UT and national media. In spite of recognizing the services of press, district administration Poonch during visits of top dignitaries always prefer to debar media from covering most important events, fearing exposure of their misdeeds and this regular practice on part of district administration clearly an attempt to curb media’s freedom, because district administration always want press to dance to its tunes, but if some journalists believe in presenting truth, then administration follow the policy of might is right and always debar media from covering important events. Majority of members of press fraternity of Poonch are of nationalist mindset and always support government polices of national interest, but administration always give media persons a cold shoulder.  The other day, during the visit of Lieutenant Governor of J&K UT, Girish Chandra Murmu, administration debarred press from covering the most important event. Even some senior Police officers tried to pressurize and mislead media persons by taking the name of SSP Poonch. The role played by Poonch administration  was uncalled for and was an indirect attempt to censure press. Press fraternity has appealed to Director Information to intervene and save the fourth estate from this regular blackmail of debarring press by administration from covering important events in the interest of society and nation.