EMPA takes note of alleged misbehaviour with journalist by Apni Party leader

Srinagar, June 24: Electronic and Print Media Association (EMPA) — an amalgam of various media associations on Thursday took the note of the alleged misbehaviour with the group of journalists by Apni Party leader Ghulam Hassan and said it views such incidents with concern.

A statement by EMPA referred to the Tuesday incident wherein Apni Party leader Ghulam Hassan misbehaved with the group of journalists in Srinagar and used ‘objectionable’ remarks against scribes.
A local News Tv channel has also released a video purportedly showing Apni Party leader Ghulam Hassan misbehaving with news channel crew and using ‘objectionable’ remarks against Srinagar based journalists.
“It is very unfortunate that a senior politician who is expected to know the ethics of politics and familiar with professional work of journalist, has labeled the Srinagar based journalists as Agents,” reads the statement.
“The EMPA views such incident with serious concern, which tends to undermines the freedom of the press and risking the lives of journalists by labeling them as agents,” the statement said.
It added that EMPA expected a statement from Apni Party chief “but his silence on the matter is unfortunate.”
It added that EMPA has written to the Press Council of India about this “unfortunate incident” and sought its intervention to take up the matter at higher levels.