Media advisory is for safety of reporters: Kashmir Police

SRINAGAR: Two days after issuing a media advisory, urging reporters to desist from going near encounter sites and covering the proceedings live, Kashmir Police on Friday reiterated that the advisory was meant for ensuring safety of media persons. The advisory was issued late on Wednesday evening.

Addressing a press conference, IGP (Kashmir range) Vijay Kumar said Article 19(1) of the Constitution (right to freedom of speech and expression) doesn’t give an absolute right and that it is subject to reasonable restrictions. As such, reporters cannot put their lives as well the lives others in danger while performing their professional work, he added.

The IGP, however, said that district SSPs have been directed to give reporters encounter updates. Kumar said if reporters go closer to encounter sites, the same may disturb the men involved in anti-militancy operations and live coverage of the proceedings may trigger law and order situation in other areas. (Agency)