Tanvir Sadiq questions Govt over prolonged ad freeze to GK

Srinagar, Oct 29: National Conference (NC) MLA from Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, on Wednesday asked the government to explain the discrimination under which advertisements were denied to the newspapers and digital platforms.

Speaking during the Zero Hour in the House, Sadiq termed the media as the fourth pillar of democracy, but said that the freedom of the press was sabotaged due to the continuous suspension of advertisements to the newspapers.

“If these newspapers are anti-national, then close them; if not, then why are these media houses given ill treatment by the administration?” he said.

Sadiq said that the government advertisements to these newspapers had been stopped for the last five years for “unknown reasons”.

“The organisations include Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Times, Early Times, and other newspapers. Will the government explain this discrimination?” he asked.

The NC MLA urged the Speaker to seek a reply from the administration on what grounds these advertisements continue to remain suspended.

“The government should immediately restore official advertisements to newspapers and digital platforms across J&K,” he said.

Sadiq said that even if the media persons write against the government, their voices should not be muzzled.

Other MLAs also joined him and sought the immediate release of advertisements to these newspapers.

Speaker Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather informed the House that the issue would be taken up with the government.