High-speed internet ban hampering journalism in Kashmir

Srinagar: At the day break photojournalists in Kashmir pack their bags with cameras and equipment to film the stories of coronavirus outbreak.

With hardly any protective gear but with a never say no attitude these brave journalists are always on the move. They are going to hospitals and vulnerable places to bring the stories of hope and despair in the times of this enormous crisis.

The government has banned high speed internet in Kashmir shut again after a prolonged lockdown following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 last year making the job of journalists even more difficult.

“We want that a similar lockdown is enforced in Kashmir as it is in the rest of the country, but we want that high speed Internet should be restored,” Firdous Ilahai, a Srinagar based journalist. “We also want to work from home, but can”t do that, we want to save our families and not to venture out, but we have no option.”

A media centre was established for journalists in Kashmir after the lockdown and an Internet blackout following the abrogation of Article 370. Few computer terminals were installed to cater to the heavy rush of journalists.

But with the threat of coronavirus looming large and in times of social distancing that option may just not help.

“We are always working in tough conditions, whether we are cover protests, stone pelting and corona virus threat, we are appealing to the government to restore high-speed internet to allow us to operate from our homes,” said Showkat Ahmad, a photo journalist.

The government has stuck to its decision of banning high-speed Internet in Jammu and Kashmir despite appeals for its restoration in the wake of corona virus threat, this has really hampered journalism and impacted all aspects of life. It is hoped that the what is the ban on high speed Internet is lifted so that problems of people also come to an end.

IANS