Srinagar: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Saturday condemned the stopping of government advertisements to two English dailies– Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Reader, calling the move as a futile attempt to ‘manipulate the news narrative.’ 

In a statement issued today, a KCCI spokesperson said the move is an attempt to interfere in the freedom of the press by exerting financial pressure. 

The spokesperson said that it was unfortunate that the government was resorting to arm twisting tactics and there seemed to be a policy of economic aggression being declared on the business community of Kashmir.

“The media has been discharging their duties in very difficult circumstances and had always maintained the highest ethical and professional standards. The press community was being targeted for their neutral and unbiased reporting,” he said. 

He said the right of “our people to access accurate, fair and unbiased information, representing a plurality of opinions, seems to be under threat.”

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and any attempt to violate it is condemnable,” he added.