Srinagar, Feb 18: Member of the Legislative Assembly Tanvir Sadiq on Wednesday accused the administration of discriminating against sections of the local media by selectively withholding government advertisements, and called for a transparent and uniform advertising policy.
Raising the issue in the Assembly, Tanvir Sadiq said several reputed newspapers and media channels in Jammu and Kashmir have allegedly been denied government advertisements for years, placing them under severe financial strain.
Describing government advertisements as “not charity,” he said they are institutional mechanisms meant to disseminate public information. “If they are distributed selectively, it creates an uneven playing field and raises serious concerns,” he told the House.
He said the issue was not merely about revenue but reflected deeper policy flaws affecting the media sector. “Official advertisements are a critical revenue stream for media organisations. Withholding them impacts operations and sustainability,” he said.
Calling the free press a pillar of democracy, Sadiq asserted that media houses should not be treated as adversaries. “Financially punishing media organisations, whether directly or indirectly, undermines public trust,” he added.
Seeking greater transparency, he demanded that the government disclose the criteria being followed for empanelment and allocation of advertisements. He also questioned the distribution of advertisements to what he described as obscure and lesser-known publications, naming several such outlets during his address, which drew laughter in the House.
Sadiq further urged the government to review the Media Policy 2020, alleging that it allows for arbitrary and unjustified distribution of advertisements.
In addition, he called for the introduction of a pension scheme for journalists, citing the lack of job security in the profession. “Media persons have no security of tenure. The government must consider including them in a pension scheme to safeguard their livelihoods,” he said.
