JournalismPakistan.com | Published March 23, 2020
Join our WhatsApp channel
More than eight million people living in Indian-held Kashmir are unable to access reliable health information about COVID- 19 as the seven-month-long internet shutdown continues.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Indian Journalists Union, have urged the Indian government to remove all communication restrictions on Kashmir.
The Kashmir population has been denied the free and unrestricted flow of information since August 5, 2019, when Article 370 of the Indian Constitution was revoked, removing the autonomy of Kashmir, imposing a communications shutdown. Recently, the implications of a communications shutdown have worsened with civilians panicking due to a lack of information on the COVID-19 pandemic and increased restrictions imposed on movement.
Moazum Bhat, the vice-president of Kashmir Press Club questioned how will people access reliable information when doctors, journalists and health service providers cannot access information about the pandemic. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling on January 10 calling the ban “impermissible”, the Indian government continues to restrict high speed 3G and 4G internet services. The 2G internet services restored in the region on January 14 limits communication to a simple text message.
Since Kashmir reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 18, further communication restrictions have been put in place, banning people from visiting specific areas of Kashmir. As of 19 March, the Indian government has reported 166 confirmed cases of coronavirus of which, four cases are from Kashmir.
The communication restriction continues to prevent people from exercising the right to health. The right to health has been reflected in international agreements, which include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.
The Kashmir diaspora penned an open letter to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom, on March 20, requesting the office facilitate the restoration of high-speed internet in Kashmir.
The IJU “reiterates its demand that Kashmir people should have access to internet with 4G speed to cope with COVID-19 pandemic.”
The IFJ said: “The Unnecessary restriction on the dissemination of information will only increase panic during the pandemic. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure people receive accurate and timely information about COVID-19. The IFJ urges the Indian government to provide unrestricted and the free flow of information about COVID-19 in Kashmir by lifting the communications ban.”—IFJ media release?Photo: AFP
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.