Majid Nabi
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Nov 5: Authorities have refused passes to non-accredited media persons in Kashmir for covering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Srinagar on November 7.
Even as both accredited and non-accredited journalists were allowed to cover Modi’s rally in December 2014, the authorities this time have only allowed a handful of accredited journalists to cover the event. “When we went to the Information Department on Thursday to collect passes, we were dumbfounded to learn that only accredited journalists are allowed to cover the rally,” said Aijaz Ahmad who works as cameraman with an international news channel. He said, “We have always been covering the rallies of both central and the state ministers, but the sudden denial has raised serious questions as to why we have been disallowed to cover the event this time.” “I fail to understand how the authorities allow reporters without photographers and videographers,” said another journalist. Talking to Early Times, Director Information, Zafar Ahmad, said, “This time we have directions from the security agencies to limit issuing passes to all journalists.” Zafar said, “We try to ensure participation of most of the journalists to any event. So our policy is to issue passes to atleast one from every news organization.” When asked about the reasons behind issuing passes to few journalists for the Modi rally, Zafar refused to divulge to the details, saying, “There are some logistical issues.”
If sources are to be believed the directions to debar non-accredited journalists to cover the PM rally was issued by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed himself.
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