jj correspondent
Srinagar, Sep 29: The Press Council of India (PCI) on Wednesday constituted a three-member fact-finding committee to probe alleged harassment and intimidation of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir.
Thanking PCI for the move, former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti hoped that the local administration ensures full co-operation so that this committee to discharge its duty.
“Thankful to the @PressCouncil_IN for their decision to constitute a fact finding committee to probe about journalists being harassed in J&K. Hope the local administration ensures their full co-operation so that this committee can discharge its duty,” Ms Mehbooba wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
She also posted the order copy issued by the PCI, which read, “The chairman of Press Council of India (PCI) while taking suo-motu cognizance on the communication of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti concerning intimidation and harassment of journalists in J&K, has constituted a three member fact finding committeeto inquire into the matter.”
“The members include Prakash Dubey, Convener and Group editor of Dainik Bhaskar, Gurbir Singh, Journalist, the New Indian Express and Dr Suman Gupta, Editor, Jan Morcha,” the order said, adding the committee will regulate its own process.
The order said that the authorities in J&K are requested to extend full co-operation and assistance to this fact finding committee for the discharge of its function. “The fact finding committee is requested to make a thorough probe into the matter, holding discussions with the concerned authorities and the affected journalists and collect such information as it deems fit to submit to the council at the earliest,” it added.
Ms Mehbooba had written a letter to PCI, urging the Council to send a fact finding team to Kashmir valley to verify alleged harassment of media persons by the government.
The former chief minister had said that raids were conducted by police at several journalists and their personnel items were seized.
PCI constitutes fact-finding committee to probe alleged harassment of journos in J&K
