This is one story of stories. The journalism in Kashmir has grown by leaps and bounds. Let us talk about the 70s when we had to wait in the evening for one copy of Kashmir Times to read in English what we had endured yesterday. Our happenings, events, political upheavals were available in English language in only one newspaper.
Today Basharat Peer, one of our own, is at a senior most position in New York Times, arguably one of the prestigious newspapers in the world. Someone amongst us is in the topmost editorial board of almost national newspapers. Today more than twenty odd newspapers are published in English language. People buy newspapers from the stands and believe what they read in newspapers-this is the trust factor that took years of hard work to build.
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It has been a miraculous turn around. The success story was only possible due to the hardworking of women who dedicated the peak of their lives in sustaining quality journalism in valley. People with their life and limbs to make sure that tommorow’s newspaper hits the stands. Men woke up till midnight so that citizens in Kashmir are kept abreast of all social, economic and of course political happenings in Kashmir.
There are people who work quietly without any greed for rewards and recognition. There are people who have held government accountable for each and every wrong doing.
Our vernacular media also has been at its vocal best. Our columnists have written boldly despite being in the atmosphere of fear and violence.
The journalists in Kashmir deserve more than a pat on their back for being their professional best in all matters that matter. We now have journalists who are recognized the world over.
The journalists in Kashmir need to get together on a single platform leaving jealousy and grievances apart and chalk out a strategy for the safety and security of our men on the field. journalists in Kashmir deserve a better treatment from the establishment. Let the journalists emerge as a driving force behind a much cleaner and corruption free Kashmir.
