Kashmir: Emerging Kashmiri journalist Gafira Qadir has become the target of a coordinated online campaign following her review of the film Songs of Paradise in Middle East Eye. The campaign, which spreads threats and attempts to discredit her professionally, has raised concerns about press freedom and journalist safety in the region.
The Journalist Federation of Kashmir strongly condemned the attacks, stating that such harassment threatens not only individual journalists but also democratic values and the right to critique art and cinema. The federation highlighted that the campaign against Qadir includes gender-based intimidation and seeks to silence critical voices, particularly female journalists.
The statement emphasized that journalists must be able to express opinions and provide analysis without fear or pressure. Efforts to suppress criticism undermine accountability and transparency within regional institutions. The federation also noted that attacks on the press are part of a broader strategy to weaken truth-telling in Jammu and Kashmir.
Citing former Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, the statement reinforced that journalists serve as the eyes and ears between the public and authority, and independent journalism forms the backbone of democracy. The Supreme Court has similarly affirmed that India’s freedom relies on journalists being able to report truth without fear of retaliation.
The federation urged authorities and society to ensure that journalists like Gafira Qadir can continue their work safely and maintain the integrity of reporting in the region.
