Ehsaan Yousf
Ganderbal, 22 Feb 2025: A delegation of the Ganderbal Press Association (GPA), led by its President Ayaz Sofi, met with Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Dak Bungalow Ganderbal today. The delegation discussed various pressing issues concerning journalists in the district and put forth key demands to improve the working conditions of the media fraternity in Ganderbal.
One of the primary concerns raised during the meeting was the demand for the allocation of land or a dedicated building for journalists in Ganderbal. President Ayaz Sofi emphasized the need for a permanent space where media professionals can operate efficiently and contribute to transparent and responsible journalism. The Chief Minister assured the delegation of his support and promised to look into the matter for possible assistance.
Additionally, the delegation highlighted the issue of media restrictions during VVIP visits, including those of the Chief Minister, within the district. It was brought to his attention that journalists have often been restrained from covering such events, limiting their ability to provide the public with accurate and timely information. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured the GPA members that such restrictions would not be imposed in the future and that necessary steps would be taken to ensure better media access to official events.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with the Chief Minister acknowledging the role of the media in democracy and assuring his full cooperation in addressing the concerns of journalists in Ganderbal.
