New Delhi: The South Asia Media Commission on Tuesday strongly urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to lift the "ban" on publication of newspapers in Srinagar.
"Through their thoughtless move, the administration have only played in the hands of irresponsible sections. The restrictions, unannounced and unofficial, need to be removed with immediate effect," South Asia Media Commission President KK Katyal said.
No newspaper could come out for the last three days in Srinagar due to restrictions in the wake of hanging of Afzal Guru.
"The official order banning cable television and Internet does not cover newspapers but either because of curfew restrictions or the visit of police teams to printing presses, publication was effectively prevented," Katyal said.
Holding that restrictions on media are counter-productive, he said the approach only helps those interested in spreading rumours.
"As we know from the days of the emergency in 1975-77, restrictions on media are counter-productive. This approach only helps those interested in spreading rumours -- and, thus, creating bigger avoidable problems," Katyal said.
PTI
