Srinagar, Jan 16: As many as ten newspapers of Jammu & Kashmir would not be provided government advertisements for publication as the Department of Information and Public Relations, Govt of Jammu and Kashmir has dis-empaneled them “for not following the proper rules and regulations of newspaper publication.”
Ziraat Times is presently not eligible for government advertisements as per the rules in vogue considering that it is yet to complete the first three years of publication. According to those rules, a newspaper is supposed to complete its first three years of publication, surviving on its own finances and revenues, before it could be considered for government advertisements.
Joint Director Information while speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that “there were many complaints received by the Directorate of Information against some newspapers published both in Jammu and Kashmir divisions.”
He said that the complaints were regarding the content being carried, publication issues, advertisement policies and media policy, which “these newspapers were not following and more importantly the availability of newspapers.”
He informed that In Kashmir division there are around 18 newspapers which came under the scrutiny and out of which 10 newspapers, who had stopped the publications, have been suspended and dis-empanelled by the Information Department.
“Eight newspapers have been sent notices, but before the suspension they will be given the chance to be heard and then after that the due course of action will follow,” he added.
He also said that in Jammu there are more than 30 newspapers, some of them have been suspended and dis-empanelled and some have been issued the notices.
—(With KNO inputs)