In J&K, Babus love ‘Yes Sir,’ ‘Sycophant journalists,’ not those known for publishing truth in the national interest; CM Omar assures support for fair journalism

In J&K, Babus love ‘Yes Sir,’ ‘Sycophant journalists,’ not those known for publishing truth in the national interest; CM Omar assures support for fair journalism

SALIL RAINA

(POONCH TODAY NEWS)

JAMMU/POONCH: The media in J&K UT has gone through tough times during the last few years, especially after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A, as some ‘Babus’ holding important positions never tolerated anything truthful published against them even from professional journalists, but on the other hand, ‘Yes Sir’ and ‘Sycophant’ journalists, who were not blessed with any type of professional journalism qualifications, were seen getting full favors from the ‘Babus.’

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah speaks during the Budget session of the J&K Assembly, in Jammu, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (PTI Photo)(PTI03_06_2025_000186A)

As the J&K UT remained under the control of LG’s administration for nearly five years, some ‘Babus’ took undue advantage and behaved like kings. Whosoever tried to publish any type of truth with facts that went against the interest of ‘Babus’ was fired like anything. Although LG Manoj Sinha time and again assured full freedom to the media in J&K, at the ground level, some ‘Babus’ known for their questionable approach never implemented the vision of LG Manoj Sinha and the union government on the ground. Some ‘Babus’ were also seen recommending ‘Bootlickers’ in journalism for various favors, while those doing professional and ethical journalism in the national interest were targeted badly. Moreover, some ‘Babus’ have also come under a big question mark for recommending persons with questionable histories against the nation and ‘Chamchagiri’ for various awards by ignoring the meritorious persons. An arrogant ‘Babu,’ who is presently heading the reins of a district after reading a story in a newspaper that went against his interest, said to one of his subordinate officers, “When I was posted in an important place, a journalist wrote something against me. I immediately swung into action and played a big role in the transfer of his father as a punishment to him. Then the said journalist came to me and felt sorry. I know how to handle journalists.” Likewise, there are more stories that show how some ‘Babus’ targeted journalists in J&K. While those experts in ‘bootlicking’ and ‘sycophancy’ managed everything, including the intelligence wing of police for favorable reports in their favor for various questionable favors and awards from the government. It has raised a big question mark on how the government system is working behind the curtains by ignoring the merit. But the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the other day in the assembly, said that no punitive action will be taken against any of the journalists for fair journalism, and it shows that CM Omar Abdullah himself was aware of the fact that journalists were targeted badly when there was no elected government in the J&K UT state. Omar Abdullah also said that those newspapers that believe in publishing a front-page photo of a CM are not newspapers but a mouthpiece of the government, and this is not fair journalism. He also said that misinformation will not be tolerated and advised the media fraternity to check the facts clearly before publishing the same. It is for the first time that an elected Chief Minister has come openly in support of media freedom in J&K. But those ‘Babus’ who only love ‘bootlickers’ and ‘sycophant’ journalists by showing them dreams of various favors have known the art of indirect censorship in media, and if this is their strategy, then it shows that there is no full media freedom in J&K. Those ‘sycophant’ journalists who have no journalism qualifications have become self-styled media experts and are trying their best to ruin the media industry and the public pulse with their jack of all, master of none outlook. In every mohalla and street, one can find these self-styled social media journalists who have demolished the integrity of this elite media field  with their senseless and under agenda content. It is high time for the government of India to introduce laws to discourage such a practice of unprofessional journalism in the media field in addition to ensuring professional media freedom in J&K, which otherwise has suffered a lot due to the dictatorial attitude of some ‘Babus’ who are not blessed with extreme wisdom. However, CM Omar Abdullah’s assurance for full media freedom in J&K is seen as a ray of hope in the otherwise ’‘Babus’-dominated state of affairs in J&K, where professional and nationalist-minded media men were targeted badly because they openly exposed the misdeeds of some wicked-minded ‘Babus.’ The media fraternity of J&K has welcomed the positive approach of CM Omar Abdullah towards the media fraternity and wishes that the same needs to be implemented on the ground to strengthen the fourth estate in J&K.