Farooq Abdullah Acknowledges Press Freedom Crisis in IIOJK Amid RSF’s Alarming Report

On the occasion of International Press Freedom Day, NC President has voiced deep concern over the crumbling state of press freedom in IIOJK, echoing the scathing findings of the latest Reporters Without Borders (RSF) report.

Srinagar — As global attention turns to the state of press freedom, veteran Kashmiri political figure Farooq Abdullah has joined the growing chorus of concern about press repression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). His remarks come in response to Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) 2025 World Press Freedom Index, which ranked India 151st out of 180 nations, citing widespread media suppression.

Abdullah, in a statement released from Srinagar, praised Kashmiri journalists for their resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to truth in the face of growing intimidation and state pressure. He paid homage to journalists who lost their lives in pursuit of their duty and urged the media community to continue advocating for the rights of the Kashmiri people.

“A free press is essential for democracy to function. No society can enjoy true democracy without press freedom and dignity,” Abdullah stated. He emphasized that journalism remains a critical pillar in holding power to account and keeping the public informed, especially in conflict-ridden areas like IIOJK.

Abdullah’s acknowledgment adds significant weight to the international concern raised by RSF’s latest report, which paints a bleak picture of India’s media landscape. The report warned that India’s media environment has increasingly resembled an “unofficial state of emergency” since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took power in 2014.

RSF highlighted that the concentration of media ownership in the hands of politically connected industrialists, like Mukesh Ambani, poses a serious threat to media plurality. Ambani reportedly owns more than 70 media outlets with a combined reach of 800 million Indians, raising alarms about monopolistic control and pro-government bias.

The watchdog also criticized the emergence of “Godi media” — a term referring to news outlets seen as propaganda arms of the BJP, mixing populism with blind allegiance to the ruling party. According to RSF, journalists critical of the Modi regime are often targeted by online troll armies, allegedly backed by BJP-affiliated networks, in coordinated harassment campaigns.

In IIOJK, the situation is particularly dire, with multiple incidents of journalist detentions, raids on media houses, cancellation of accreditations, and intimidation of reporters covering sensitive issues. Abdullah’s statement adds local political legitimacy to concerns that have long been raised by global human rights organizations and press watchdogs.

Farooq Abdullah called for the restoration of media freedom in both IIOJK and across India, urging the Indian government to respect democratic norms and allow the press to perform its duty without fear or coercion.