JKYJA REMEMBERED JOURNALISTS ON WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

Srinagar May 03 (Only Kashmir): The Jammu & Kashmir Young Journalists Association (JKYJA) has held an important meeting at its office situated at Lal Chowk Srinagar to celebrate the 20 th annual World Press Freedom Day  and remembered those fearless journalists  who have died for their cause. 

 The meeting was presided over by JKYJA President, Mr. Ajaz Ahmad War. The meeting was attended by Bilal Furqani ( Vice President ) , Muhammad Tauseef Mir  (  General Secretary), Rameez Makhdoomi (Chief spokesman) , Majid Kapra, (organizer) , Bilal Bashir Bhat ( Treasurer) , Kaiser Ahmad ( publicity in charge  ), Advocate  Z. A .Quershi (Legal Advisor).

 Every year, May 3rd is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

JKYJA pleaded that it is an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom - a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered.

JKYJA said, “It is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favour of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide”.

It serves as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

More than 600 journalists have been killed in the past decade, many while reporting in non-conflict situations. Impunity is also widespread as nine out of 10 cases of killings of journalists go unpunished. JKYJA President, Mr. Ajaz Ahmad War urged United Nations to ensure the safety of journalists (Traditional Media Persons and Digital Media Persons) in every country especially in Conflict Zones of the globe like Kashmir, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq etc.

JKYJA said the Journalism was facing different challenges and was passing through a critical phase and vowed to continue the mission of those fearless journalists who laid down their lives for fair and just journalism.