Bilal Bhat
Srinagar, Mar 18: President and lifetime patron of the Press Club of Kashmir (PCK), Mohammad Saleem Pandit, has welcomed the UT government’s official acknowledgment of the club’s active status in the valley. Speaking on the matter, Mr. Pandit hailed the statement made by UT administration led by Shri Omar Abdullah during the legislative assembly session in Jammu in response to a cut motion by MLA Pulwama, Waheed-ur-Rehman.
Mr. Saleem Pandit emphasized that the government’s recognition of the registered Press Club of Kashmir (PCK) reaffirms its legitimacy as the representative body for journalists in the valley, replacing the previous Kashmir Press Club, which had its registration suspended due to an adverse CID verification. He said that this acknowledgment is a crucial step toward ensuring a structured and responsible media environment in Jammu and Kashmir.
Many journalists had earlier apprised Mr. Pandit about the growing concerns over press freedom in the region, urging him to take firm steps to safeguard professional journalists and implement stringent laws against unqualified social media influencers posing as journalists. Responding to these concerns, Mr. Pandit stressed the need for strict regulation of the media industry to protect the integrity of the profession and prevent the dilution of ethical journalism.
Calling upon the UT administration, Mr. Pandit urged the government to allocate a dedicated space for the Press Club of Kashmir, facilitating a platform for journalists to engage, deliberate on pressing issues, and strengthen the professional fraternity. He underscored the importance of providing institutional support to ensure a free, independent, and responsible press in the valley.
Welcoming the new media policy for Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Pandit said that the initiative will help curb the entry of unqualified individuals into journalism, particularly on social media. He stressed that such measures are necessary to uphold the professionalism and credibility of journalism in the region. He also lauded the government’s efforts to introduce a structured scheme for newspaper advertisement distribution, ensuring that government ads are allocated in accordance with the DAVP policy of the Government of India.
The statement from the Press Club of Kashmir’s president comes at a time when media professionals in the region are seeking institutional backing, protection of press freedom, and a well-regulated media landscape to uphold ethical journalism.
