Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
Freedom of expression shrinks in Pakistan as PECA Amendments take toll: report اظہارِ رائے کی آزادی محدود، پیکا میں ترامیم سے میڈیا کو شدید دھچکا: رپورٹDawn urges Indian media to abandon war rhetoric ڈان کی بھارتی میڈیا سے جنگی بیانیہ ترک کرنے کی اپیلIndia bans 16 Pakistani YouTube channels following Pahalgan attack پہلگام حملے کے بعد بھارت نے پاکستان کے 16 یوٹیوب چینلز پر پابندی لگا دی'In A Different Realm' offers a philosophical take on cricket's greatest innings ان اے ڈیفرنٹ ریلم کرکٹ کی عظیم ترین اننگز پر ایک فکری نقطۂ نظر پیش کرتی ہےCoordinated or coincidence? Identical tweets by Pakistani journalists raise eyebrows ہم آہنگی یا محض اتفاق؟ پاکستانی صحافیوں کے ایک جیسے ٹویٹس نے سوالات اٹھا دیےThe PSL paradox: pageantry or progress? پی ایس ایل کا تضاد: دکھاوا یا ترقی؟Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists after PTI expulsion پی ٹی آئی سے نکالے جانے کے بعد شیر افضل مروت کے صحافیوں پر ذاتی حملےJournalist Sanaullah Khan alleges FIA blocking accounts of YouTubers and families صحافی ثناء اللہ خان کا انکشاف: ایف آئی اے یوٹیوبرز اور ان کے خاندانوں کے اکاؤنٹس بلاک کر رہی ہےA launch in style: Dr. Nauman Niaz unveils 'In A Different Realm' ان اے ڈفرنٹ ریلم کی رونمائی: ڈاکٹر نعمان نیاز کی کتاب Sindhi journalist AD Shar brutally murdered, PFUJ declares three-day mourning سندھی صحافی اے ڈی شر کا بہیمانہ قتل، پی ایف یو جے نے تین روزہ سوگ کا اعلان کر دیاAJK government registers case against newspaper and staff آزاد کشمیر حکومت کا اخبار اور عملے کے خلاف مقدمہJournalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges FIA threats, possible arrest over reporting صحافی آرزو کاظمی کا دعویٰ: ایف آئی اے کی دھمکیاں، رپورٹنگ پر ممکنہ گرفتاری

Indian-held Kashmir unable to access COVID-19 information online

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published March 23, 2020

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Indian-held Kashmir unable to access COVID-19 information online

More than eight million people living in Indian-held Kashmir are unable to access reliable health information about COVID- 19 as the seven-month-long internet shutdown continues. 

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Indian Journalists Union, have urged the Indian government to remove all communication restrictions on Kashmir.

 The Kashmir population has been denied the free and unrestricted flow of information since August 5, 2019, when Article 370 of the Indian Constitution was revoked, removing the autonomy of Kashmir, imposing a communications shutdown. Recently, the implications of a communications shutdown have worsened with civilians panicking due to a lack of information on the COVID-19 pandemic and increased restrictions imposed on movement.

Moazum Bhat, the vice-president of Kashmir Press Club questioned how will people access reliable information when doctors, journalists and health service providers cannot access information about the pandemic. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling on January 10 calling the ban “impermissible”, the Indian government continues to restrict high speed 3G and 4G internet services. The 2G internet services restored in the region on January 14 limits communication to a simple text message.

Since Kashmir reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 18, further communication restrictions have been put in place, banning people from visiting specific areas of Kashmir. As of 19 March, the Indian government has reported 166 confirmed cases of coronavirus of which, four cases are from Kashmir.

 The communication restriction continues to prevent people from exercising the right to health. The right to health has been reflected in international agreements, which include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.

The Kashmir diaspora penned an open letter to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom, on March 20, requesting the office facilitate the restoration of high-speed internet in Kashmir.

 The IJU “reiterates its demand that Kashmir people should have access to internet with 4G speed to cope with COVID-19 pandemic.”

The IFJ said: “The Unnecessary restriction on the dissemination of information will only increase panic during the pandemic. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure people receive accurate and timely information about COVID-19.  The IFJ urges the Indian government to provide unrestricted and the free flow of information about COVID-19 in Kashmir by lifting the communications ban.”—IFJ media release?Photo: AFP

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