Journalist booked in IoK over WhatsApp status

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 7 June 2021

Sajid Raina, a local journalist, was booked for his WhatsApp status about a tragic incident in 2006. The Kashmir News Observer calls attention to ongoing media harassment.

Summary

SRINAGAR—Police in Indian-Occupied Kashmir have booked a local journalist, Sajid Raina, over a WhatsApp status.

The Bandipora correspondent of the Kashmir News Observer (KNO) news agency said that he received a phone call from police station Bandipora about the FIR.

“I was shocked to hear that an FIR has been lodged for keeping a simple WhatsApp status about 20 children who died on May 30, 2006 when their boat capsized in Wular Lake. This is really shocking. I don’t know what was wrong with my WhatsApp status,” he said.

A KNO copy editor was also called to the police station Bandipora for a tweet about shifting of oxygen plant and non-functioning of ventilators at the District Hospital, Bandipora. The editor was investigated over his tweets.

The Kashmir News Observer urged the Kashmir Press Club and other media organizations to take note of the issue, as the journalists in the peripheral areas are being harassed day in and day out on one pretext or the other.

Key Points

Sajid Raina faced police action over a WhatsApp status regarding child deaths in 2006.
A KNO editor was also investigated for tweets about local medical facilities.
The Kashmir Press Club is urged to address the harassment of journalists.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges for media professionals in peripheral areas.
The FIR surprised Raina, who questioned the grounds for police action.

Relevant Topics

Journalism

Kashmir

Police

Media

Harassment

Ask AI: Understand this story your way

AI Enabled

Dig deeper, ask anything — get instant context, background, and clarity.

Language

Format

Tone

Audience

Focus

Reading level

Length

The AI generates results based on your selected options

Your AI-generated results will appear here after you click the button.

Disclaimer: This feature is powered by AI and is intended to help readers explore and understand news stories more easily. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated responses may occasionally be incomplete or reflect limitations in the underlying model. This feature does not represent the editorial views of JournalismPakistan. For our full, verified reporting, please refer to the original article.

Explore Further

Pakistan Media Monitor | Edition 4 | July 7-20, 2026

July 20, 2026: During July 7-20, 2026 Pakistan's media faced legal action against journalists, expanded broadcast regulations, newsroom layoffs and surveillance concerns, revealing growing regulatory, economic and technological pressures on journalism.

Journalists question closed-door fuel price briefing

July 18, 2026: Journalists criticised a closed-door briefing where ministers said OGRA would set petroleum prices daily and energy reporters were not invited.

DRF USA report warns of expanding cyber surveillance in Pakistan

July 17, 2026: DRF USA warns that Pakistan's growing cyber surveillance, spyware, LIMS, and web monitoring pose serious privacy risks to press freedom and other digital rights.

Nine journalist threat cases recorded across Pakistan in June

July 15, 2026: Nine incidents of threats, arrests, legal action and assaults against journalists were recorded in Pakistan in June, highlighting threats to press freedom.

Why Punjab's district journalists are working second jobs to survive

July 14, 2026: Punjab district journalists take second jobs, running shops, tuition centres or filtration plants, to top up newsroom pay and keep reporting amid rising costs.

Pakistan Media Monitor | Edition 3 | June 23-July 6, 2026

July 06, 2026: Pakistan's media faced pressure as a major channel was suspended, journalists were arrested under cyberlaw, attacks occurred and AI-related debates intensified.

CPJ urges Pakistan to lift Geo News suspension

July 02, 2026: CPJ urged Pakistan to reverse PEMRA's 15-day suspension of Geo News' broadcast license, calling it a dangerous escalation of official interference with independent media.

KP unveils journalist welfare package with loans, press club funding

July 01, 2026: KP unveils package for journalists: interest-free loans up to PKR10m, funding for press clubs and a media colony, plus a provincial journalists' welfare endowment.

Newsroom

AFP journalists in Türkiye win strike after pay dispute

July 21, 2026 AFP journalists in Türkiye ended a 12-day strike after securing a labor agreement with a 27% wage increase, a month's bonus, €2,500 and enhanced allowances.

Why are media companies laying off journalists?

July 21, 2026 Media companies are laying off journalists as advertising income falls, audiences shift to digital platforms, costs rise, and AI plus new business models reshape newsroom economics.

Messi's farewell, Yamal's rise: Spain conquer Argentina in World Cup final

July 20, 2026 Spain defeated Argentina in a dramatic World Cup final as Ferran Torres' extra-time volley sealed victory, capping Messi's farewell and Yamal's rise.

JP analysis: Legal pressure on journalists grows worldwide

July 19, 2026 JournalismPakistan finds governments increasingly using courts, surveillance, visa limits and regulation instead of overt bans to pressure journalists.

What is prior restraint in journalism and media law?

July 19, 2026 Prior restraint is government action that stops publication or broadcast before it reaches the public, creating tensions between press freedom and security.