The Kashmir Pulse

JAMMU — The owner of a newspaper, arrested for allegedly circulating a secret ‘security withdrawal list’ in Jammu and Kashmir has got bail from the court of law.

Reports said that the Jammu and Kashmir High Court granted interim bail to Jammu-based businessman and newspaper owner Tarun Behl, who was arrested under the Official Secrets Act earlier this month.

Behl was granted interim bail on various conditions by Justice Rahul Bharti, including that he would not give any interview or publish any content related to the subject matter of the criminal case against him, Bar and Bench reported.

The court also observed that a person who is only accused or suspected of a crime cannot be condemned from the very beginning of the investigation.

“Now, just for the sake of serving the satisfaction of the investigating authority that the petitioner shall continue to suffer jail but without any definite investigative purpose that too related to the petitioner is nothing but condemning an accused as a convict from the very inception of the investigation. A good police investigation is supposed to chase the evidence gathering related to a case under investigation and not to chain an accused/suspect,” stated the order dated July 22, reported Bar and Bench.

Behl was arrested on July 10, from his residence in the upscale Channi Himmat area of Jammu City for reportedly circulating the list of some 57 protected persons, including some journalists, politicians and retired police officers among others whose security cover was recently withdrawn by J&K administration.

AWANTIPORA — Faza Zainab, a distinguished alumna of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora, has been bestowed with the title of Outstanding Media Person by the Jammu and Kashmir Administration in a ceremony marking Republic Day 2024.

The recognition comes as a testament to Zainab's exceptional contributions to the field of media and journalism after completing her Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at IUST in 2022.

Congratulating the accomplished alumna, Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, expressed that hard work and dedication are the cornerstones of success. He extended his best wishes to Ms Faza for her future endeavours.

Dr Mujeeb Liyakat, Head of DJMC, commended Zainab's dedication to reporting and insightful storytelling, highlighting that she has set a benchmark for aspiring media professionals.

As an alumna, Faza Zainab continues to serve as an inspiration for current and future students of the department, encouraging them to strive for excellence in the dynamic and challenging field of media and journalism.

The Jammu and Kashmir Administration's acknowledgement of Faza Zainab on Republic Day underscores the significance of her achievements and the impact she has made in the realm of media.

SRINAGAR — Irresponsible media reporting is one of the main reasons behind suicide contagion in Jammu & Kashmir, according to an expert, who has called for giving the least space to such acts so as to minimize the cases.

The media must behave responsibly while reporting suicide, Dr. Yasir Hassan Rather, Professor, Department of Psychiatry (IMHANS), GMC Srinagar, said while talking to the news agency KNO.

Suicide contagion

Dr. Yasir explained “suicide contagion” – an exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviors through irresponsible media reports which can result in an increase in suicide and suicidal behaviors.

The risk for suicide contagion as a result of media reporting can be minimized by factual and concise media reports of suicide, Dr. Yasir said, adding that the reports of suicide should not be repetitive as prolonged exposure can increase the likelihood of suicide contagion.

Explaining further, the doctor said, “Suicide is the result of many complex factors; therefore media coverage should not report oversimplified explanations such as recent negative life events or acute stressors and reports should not divulge detailed descriptions of the method used to avoid possible duplication besides that reports should not glorify the victim and should not imply that suicide was effective in achieving a personal goal such as gaining media attention.”

“Suicide cases shouldn't come in limelight, it shouldn't be given front page space, and suicide word should be avoided in the headline,” he said. “Unfortunately, social media usage has popularised the act of suicide both directly and indirectly, from its means of information sharing to the influence and consequences it has on emotional health.”

Copycat suicide

He said that reports are made on how, where, when and through what conditions a person, who committed suicide, was going, and those persons who are going through the same condition have suicidal thoughts and this is the way and solution for him which is known as copycat suicide.

There are some other factors like unemployment, social, economic, and financial stress responsible for suicide or suicidal thoughts and the need of the hour is to help such persons, the doctor said.

“Around 90 percent of suicidal cases have underlying depression and other mental health issues and so it needs medical intervention,” he said, adding that anyone having suicidal thoughts may get help from the government helpline Tele manas helpline number (18008914416) which is available 24×7.

What should be avoided?

The language that sensationalizes or normalizes suicide; photographs or video footage of the scenes of the place or the method; pictures of the deceased; sharing of suicide notes, and videos made before suicide as these may trigger mental health issues in many people.

Dr. Yasir said suicide is not a result of a single factor or event. He said mental health illnesses are a strong predictor of suicide and mental disorders such as depression and substance use may influence an individual's ability to cope with life stressors and interpersonal conflicts.

Media should not glamourize suicide but rather provide information about mental health professionals and helpline numbers, he said. “Responsible journalism on suicide can prevent such cases to a large extent.”

SRINAGAR — Non-professional journalists have been earning a bad name to Kashmir journalism every now and then. The mushroom growth of Facebook journalists, who are good at the noise, end up creating a people-friendly image for themselves at the cost of maligning image of professionals.

From a simple protest at the Press Colony to any law and order issue, these Facebook journalists (as they are called in local lingo) are always omnipresent. Even they can be seen in the press conferences, which are sometimes reserved. Unabashed and uncouth, most Facebook journos are semi-literate small-time go-betweens who try to earn quick bucks using journalism as a stepping stone.

A cursory study of these random journalists, who mostly camp on roads and pavements at the Press Enclave, reveals that most of them are operating Pages on Facebook. They have fancy names and post videos and happenings on their Pages.

Apart from poor content production, these Facebook reporters are increasingly resorting to emotive calls through their repetitive sob-stories on poor families. Some of the “incorrigible offenders” have already become self-styled cults, thriving on their cabal and coterie.

The Facebook journalists would publish emotionally-charged videos on their Facebook Pages and other social media accounts and collect funds for the poor families. But one such fundraising campaign has landed a few such Facebook journalists in the trouble.

There’s nothing wrong in pleading the cases of poor families, but the manner in which it is being done has become a medium business in Kashmir now. A case has come into the notice of this media-house where these self-styled reporters have misused the video of one of the families in Srinagar.

As per the sources, a destitute family was seeking financial help from the general public in February. Keeping the generosity of Kashmir alive, the family received a sufficient amount and accordingly, the case was closed. But after two months, the same video was again uploaded by these Facebook reporters but with a different account number. The family filed a complaint against the portal for “misuing” content for their personal benefits.

Accordingly, we tried to get the details of the case from the Police Station Safa Kadal. However, SHO asked us to get the details from station. “I cannot provide details of the case on phone. You can personally visit my office and collect the same,” he added.

A senior journalist from Srinagar said that these social media reporters are not accountable to anyone for their wrongdoings. The onus lies on the government to tackle these “Facebook journalists” giving a bad name to journalism.

“This sentimental and social media driven journalism is unfortunately wooing masses in Kashmir and has widened the gap, with people losing trust on the professional media houses,” he added.

The administration should find a way out of getting these portals registered so that the charity will reach needy people instead of these “thugs” who have left no stone unturned in ruining ethics of journalism by playing with the people's emotions.

It’s the need of the hour for media fraternity in the valley to make one voice to move forward and get united under one umbrella and fight against these “social-media journalists”.

“If anyone among the journalist community commits a crime, the entire fraternity is held responsible for it,” said a senior editor in the backdrop of the recent incident in which three media-affiliated persons were arrested for extortion in Kupwara.

“Although this phenomenon is not confined to Kashmir only, the government needs to keep a tab on it and should check the authenticity of these Facebook Pages before trusting them,” he added.

Pertinently, last year two renowned 'Facebook journalists' were arrested under FIR No. 145/2021 under Sections 384 (extortion), 385 (putting a person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 420 (cheating and dishonestly) and 120B of the IPC.