Srinagar October 20, 2025 :As the Omar Abdullah government completes one year in office, the silence over one of its earliest promises continues to echo through the corridors of Kashmir’s media fraternity. In his very first interaction with the press, and later during the first winter session of the Legislative Assembly in Jammu, the Chief Minister had assured that “fresh newspapers would be empanelled with the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR)” — a step that was expected to revive fairness and inclusivity within the media landscape.
Yet, a year later, that assurance remains unfulfilled. Independent newspapers—many with a proven record of credible journalism—still await recognition and support. The empanelment process continues to be opaque, leaving genuine publications excluded from the government’s advertising framework and denied the support that sustains media diversity in a democracy.
The story of media neglect continues.
Despite Kashmir Pen’s continued advocacy, the systemic indifference toward independent journalism persists. The government’s inaction not only undermines the spirit of the Fourth Estate but also contradicts its own commitment to transparency and reform.
Each passing day without recognition for these publications weakens the very foundation of informed public discourse. A society that sidelines its independent media risks nurturing misinformation, bias, and the dominance of vested interests.
Press freedom, as we have always maintained, is not a favour extended by the state—it is a democratic obligation. The Omar Abdullah government, now marking one year of governance, must demonstrate that its vision for a progressive Jammu & Kashmir includes a free, fair, and diverse media space.
Kashmir Pen once again calls upon the authorities to act with integrity and purpose.
Let the promise made a year ago not fade into the archive of forgotten assurances. Let it translate into tangible reform—beginning with the fair empanelment of fresh newspapers that have long upheld the principles of truth, resilience, and public service.
For democracy to thrive, its watchdogs must be nourished, not neglected. The time to act is now.
