After Mehbooba Mufti’s letter, PCI to inquire intimidation of journalists

SRINAGAR — The Press Council of India Wednesday ordered the constitution of a three-member fact-finding committee to inquire into the matter of intimidation and harassment of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir after PDP chief, Mehbooba Mufti wrote a letter to the PCI.

An order issued by the PCI, a copy of which lies with Kashmir News Service (KNS), stated that the three-member fact-finding committee will inquire into the matter and will regulate its own procedure.

“The Hon’ble Chairman, Press Council of India while taking suo-motu cognizance on the communication of Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, President, PDP, concerning intimidation and harassment of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir, has constituted a three-member Fact-Finding Committee,” reads the order.

The members of the committee include Prakash Dubey, Convener and Group Editor, Dainik Bhaskar; Gurbir Singh, Journalist, The New Indian Express and Dr Suman Gupta, Editor, Jan Morcha.

“The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir are requested to extend full co-operation and assistance to this Fact-Finding Committee for the discharge of its function,” it reads.

The order stated that the Fact-Finding Committee is required to make a thorough probe into the matter holding discussion with the concerned authorities and the affected journalists and collect such information as it deems fit to submit its report to the Council at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Mehbooba Mufti thanked the PCI for constituting a fact-finding committee to probe the harassment of journalists in J&K.

“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,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

Notably, Mehbooba Mufti on Monday had written a letter to the PCI, urging it to look into the harassment and intimidation of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir.