J&K/Udhampur (The Stellar News), Anil Bhardwaj: Members of Udhampur Journalist Association observed black day and held a silent today to register protest against the insensitive attitude of the administration towards media persons not allowing them to cover the Visit of MOS Dr Jatinder Singh during his visit to town a day before.To register their protest against administration a large number of media persons from print and electronic media holding play cards today took out a silent march from Deputy commissioner office udhampur and after passing through various markets culminated at Gole Market near Fountain chowk .
Speaking on the occasion senior journalist Pardeep Bakshi , Ramesh Gupta and Amit Mahi condemning the insensitive attitude of district administration in this regard and termed it tactic to coerce journalist and unfortunate on the part of administration for denying media to perform its role smoothly . They added that media which is fourth pillar of democracy has always helped and worked as bridge between people and administration in highlighting problems of masses and awaking people about achievements and schemes of government but the recent denial of administration to cover Jatinder Singh visit to Devika ghat has widened gap between media and administration and we condemned it and will not not cover any government function till administration apology it with media fraternity .
Sumit Sharma , Deepanker Gupta and Ashish Dutt said that journalist fraternity is aware of the journalistic guidelines, ethics and situations and always upheld these principles but are always being harassed by administration and police to perform their routine duty suppressing freedom of the press .“Journalists are already working under tremendous pressure due Corona pendemic and despite facing threats to life, liberty and property, they upheld the principles of journalism and reporting. It is quite astonishing that for the first time the media persons working in district are informed through WhatsApp message that they are not allowed to cover the Dr Jatinder Singh visit regarding reviews of on going working on Devika project which is murder of democracy and curb on media .They added that this tactics will no way help administration and if they want cordial atmosphere with media in the betterment of society discard such tactics and apology its action towards media day before .Others present in protest march were Swapnil Pachiyala ,Krishan Khajuria, Anil Bhardwaj, Deepak Anand , Ravi Singh , Aftab Ahmed , Vikram Parihar , Baljit singh , Ashwani Sharma zee ,Ajay Jasrotia , viney sharma , Naresh Kundal , Ajay Bandral , Naresh Kumar ,Vikas Kataria , Maqbool Shah , Akash Verma , Vikram Panchi, Trolk Singh.
