Communication blackout and media gag: state-sponsored restrictions in conflict-hit region of Jammu and Kashmir

ABSTRACT

The communication restrictions in Indian administered Kashmir has come to an end on 5 February 2021, the ban on high-speed internet was going on since 5 August 2019 when Narendra Modi led government stripped Article 370 of the Indian constitution that provides quasi-autonomy to the region. Though Kashmiris are very much used to these kinds of blackouts but what makes it unprecedented is the duration of this longest ever communication blockade [550 days] in the history of any democracy. These challenges, coupled with intimidation, threats and movement restrictions by the state make it too difficult for the media to operate freely in the region. This paper is an attempt towards analysing the events after the abrogation of Article 370 and the impact it has on press freedom in the region. Also, an effort has been made to understand the perception of local journalists reporting from ground zero post August 2019.

KEYWORDS:

• Media
• conflict
• communication blockade
• kashmir
• article 370

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).