Srinagar, July 13, 2021 (PPI-OT):After the authorities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) issued an advisory for media while reporting the suicide cases in the valley, senior journalists in valley attributed the unethical reportage on suicides and domestic violence due to the penetration of social media in mainstream journalism.
Senior journalist Ahmed Ali Fayaz said the regular media and social media has amalgamated, and in social media, anyone with a Facebook page, a smart phone and a logo is reporting on sensitive issues without knowing the journalistic ethics.
“There are guidelines while reporting on suicide cases, domestic violence cases, in case of minor there are Juvenile courts. A professional journalist understands the limits while reporting on these subjects, but unfortunately names and photos are made viral, identities are disclosed, which is completely an unethical journalism practice,” he said.
He further said any item to be published in any credible media institution goes through many gates before it is published, “but with the many social media platforms, they hardly know these guidelines or study them, even they don’t have any accountability, and keep on posting on the sensitive matters.”
Fayaz said media houses should take up the issue with the authorities concerned to not to encourage the people who resort to unethical journalism, and bring a bad name to the noble profession.
Another prominent and veteran Journalist Yousuf Jameel told media that a responsible approach has to be shown while reporting these incidents, rather than glamorising or sensationalizing the suicides.
“We can write how it spoils the families. What are the miseries it leaves behind for family and friends, which can also act as an educative piece,” he said.
While reacting to the guidelines issued by the authorities, he said, the journalism profession has not confined to only professional journalists now, it has become free for all.
“The legitimate and genuine media institutions have their own editorial policies, and are fully aware of publishing policies, but the institutions who are far away from the editorial policies or don’t have the one, are publishing anything whatever comes their way, without knowing the nature of sensitive stories,” Jameel said.
“There are so called journalists, who are active on social Media using different social media platforms, and have started an accusation rant on people, and a time will come when we people will hold us by collar if they come to know we are journalists,” he said.
For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org
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