Srinagar: MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq on Wednesday voiced strong concern in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly over the continued suspension of government advertisements to local media outlets, terming it discriminatory and damaging to press freedom.
Speaking during the ongoing Autumn Session, Sadiq said that the media, widely recognised as the fourth pillar of democracy, was being unfairly treated by the administration. “Media is the fourth pillar of democracy, yet government advertisements have been stopped for the last four to five years. We urge the Speaker to ask the government why this discrimination continues and when will it be resolved,” he said.
The MLA urged the government to immediately restore the flow of official advertisements to newspapers and digital platforms across Jammu and Kashmir, noting that many local media organizations were facing severe financial strain due to the prolonged freeze.
Sadiq’s remarks drew attention from several members who supported the demand, emphasizing that withholding advertisements weakens both press sustainability and public access to information. The Speaker assured that the concern would be formally communicated to the government for clarification. [KNT]
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