Censorship, Intimidation, and Lies: Inside India’s Brutal Assault on the Kashmiri Press

In a shocking report from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the global media watchdog has declared that Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has been turned into an “information black hole.” This detailed statement shows a dark picture of a region where journalism has been completely destroyed since the area’s special status was illegally cancelled in 2019. For six years, journalists have been forced to work in a situation of constant fear, threats, and danger, as the Indian government works to silence any voice that reports the truth about its occupation.

An Information Black Hole

The main finding of the RSF report is a very worrying one: trustworthy news and independent information have become very hard to find in IIOJK. This is not an accident but the result of a planned Indian policy to control information and hide its widespread human rights abuses from the world.

♦ A Planned Policy of Silence: The RSF noted that the crushing of independent voices has only gotten worse since August 2019, creating a situation where the truth is the first victim of state policy.

♦ Denying Millions of Their Basic Rights: This information blockade not only puts journalists in danger but also breaks the basic right of millions of people to be informed, a serious issue in a territory recognized by the UN as disputed.

A Climate of Permanent Fear and Threats

The report explains how journalists in IIOJK are forced to work under great mental stress and the constant threat of punishment from the state. This climate of fear is meant to make journalists stay quiet and ensure that stories critical of the Indian occupation are never told.

♦ Constant Mental Pressure: Célia Mercier, the Head of RSF’s South Asia Desk, said that journalists work in a climate of “permanent intimidation,” marked by serious restrictions that stop them from working freely.

♦ The Isolation of Local Reporters: The state-planned closure of the Kashmir Press Club in 2022 was a major blow, taking away an important space for local reporters and making them feel more alone and unsafe.

The Legal War Against Journalism

India has used its laws as weapons to target and jail journalists who refuse to follow the government’s story. Very harsh laws, especially the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), are often used to make journalism a crime and lock away reporters for years without a trial.

♦ A Pattern of Arrests and Jailing: Since 2019, at least 20 journalists have been arrested. The editor of The Kashmir Walla, Fahad Shah, spent nearly two years in jail just for reporting on a gunfight.

♦ The Use of Harsh Laws: Another journalist, Irfan Meraj, who was arrested in 2023, is a clear example of this legal war. He continues to face nine serious charges under harsh laws like the UAPA, showing the risks of independent reporting.

A System of Constant Government Spying

The Indian authorities have put in place a complete system of spying and harassment to watch and control every move that journalists make. This constant watch is meant to scare reporters and their sources into silence.

♦ Digital and Physical Spying: The RSF reported widespread cases of digital spying, including the tapping of journalists’ phones, and frequent, frightening orders for them to appear at police stations.

♦ Threats at Home: Authorities often visit the homes of journalists, a method used to frighten not only the reporters but also their families, adding another layer of mental stress.

Silencing Voices Online and Offline

India’s attack on press freedom includes both the digital world and the physical ability of news outlets to work. The government has actively worked to shut down online platforms and limit internet access to control the story being told.

♦ Blocking Independent News: The report highlighted the recent blocking of several Kashmiri news outlets on the social media site X, including Maktoob Media, Free Press Kashmir, and The Kashmiriyat.

♦ Using Internet Shutdowns as a Weapon: The internet remains a tool of control, with speeds often slowed down to a useless 2G level or shut down completely during military operations to stop news from getting out quickly.

Stopping Movement to Isolate Journalists

In another clear breaking of basic rights, Indian authorities are using government actions to stop Kashmiri journalists from travelling. This effectively traps them in the region and stops them from sharing their stories with the world.

♦ Unfair Travel Bans: The RSF noted the unfair cancellation of passports and the refusal to give press cards to reporters. Flight bans have also been used to stop journalists from leaving the country.

♦ The Case of Sanna Irshad Mattoo: The Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Sanna Irshad Mattoo was famously stopped from boarding an international flight in 2022, a clear act of punishment for her globally praised work.

The Terrible Effect on Truth-Telling

The years of constant pressure have had a terrible effect on the ability of journalists to do their jobs. The fear is now so common that it has silenced not just reporters, but the very people whose stories need to be told.

♦ Sources Are Too Afraid to Speak: Journalists told RSF that their sources are now often too scared to talk about sensitive topics, leaving important stories about human rights abuses and military operations untold.

♦ The Mental Pain of a Brutal System: Many reporters described suffering from severe burnout and mental pain as a direct result of working under the constant threat of arrest, harassment, and violence for years.

A Call for India to Respect Press Freedom

The Reporters Without Borders report is a serious call for action for the international community. It asks India to end its war on journalism in IIOJK and to allow reporters to work without fear, as is required by its duties to the world.

♦ An Appeal to the Indian Government: The RSF has directly called on India to respect its promises to protect press freedom and to immediately stop the mistreatment of journalists.

♦ The Right to Independent News: The watchdog stressed that allowing independent journalism is not a favor, but a basic right that is necessary for the people of IIOJK.