Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The Press Club of Jammu has welcomed the Government’s decision to formulate a new media policy, expressing hope that the proposed framework will comprehensively address the longstanding concerns, professional challenges and welfare-related issues of the media fraternity across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued here today, Press Club President Mr. Sanjeev Pargal observed that the rapidly evolving media landscape and changing dynamics of news dissemination have made it imperative to introduce a comprehensive, progressive and inclusive media policy. He emphasised that the proposed framework must take into consideration the interests and concerns of all segments of the media fraternity, including print, electronic and digital media, while ensuring practical and sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting the industry.
Mr. Pargal appreciated the statement made by Director Information Ms. Mamta Yadav, who had indicated that the proposed policy would extend beyond print and digital media to encompass social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Describing the proposed inclusion as a timely and pragmatic initiative, he said that the growing influence and reach of social media in news dissemination necessitate its appropriate recognition within the broader media policy framework.
Highlighting several pressing concerns confronting journalists and media organisations in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Pargal stressed the need for a regular and streamlined accreditation mechanism. He specifically pointed out that the accreditation cards of accredited journalists have remained lapsed since December 2025, creating considerable difficulties for working journalists in carrying out their professional responsibilities. He urged the authorities to address the issue and ensure timely renewal of accreditation cards to prevent further inconvenience to media professionals.
Underscoring the significant role of the media industry in generating direct and indirect employment for a substantial section of the population in Jammu and Kashmir, the Press Club President called for an urgent revision of the existing advertisement rates. He maintained that the prevailing rates must be reviewed in accordance with current economic conditions and the operational realities of the media industry to ensure its financial sustainability. He also emphasised the need for a comprehensive, transparent and equitable advertisement policy that guarantees fairness, clarity and consistency in the allocation of government advertisements.
Drawing attention to the professional, social and economic challenges faced by journalists, Mr. Pargal further called upon the Government to introduce dedicated welfare schemes for media professionals on the lines of those already implemented in the neighbouring hill state of Himachal Pradesh. He said that such initiatives would go a long way towards providing journalists with much-needed social and financial security while recognising their contribution to society.
Emphasising the importance of meaningful stakeholder participation in policy formulation, Mr. Pargal asserted that journalists and their representative organisations must be actively consulted before finalising any policy concerning the media sector. In this regard, he urged the Government to ensure the representation of the Press Club of Jammu in the consultation and decision-making process so that the concerns and expectations of working journalists are adequately reflected in the proposed policy.
He further stated that the Press Club of Jammu is the only duly elected representative body of journalists representing print, electronic and social media across Jammu and Kashmir. He maintained that involving its elected representatives in the policy formulation process would enable the Government to gain a first-hand understanding of the ground realities, identify the actual challenges confronting the media fraternity and formulate measures that effectively address their genuine concerns.
The statement was also endorsed and signed by Mr. Zorawar Singh Jamwal (Vice President), Mr. Dinesh Manhotra (Secretary General), and Executive Committee Members Mr. Nishikant Khajuria, Mr. Dinesh Mahajan, Mr. Govind Chouhan and Mr. Ajay Menia.
