A free press is the cornerstone of any democracy. In Indian-Occupied Kashmir, that cornerstone has been systematically dismantled. Journalists face arrest, intimidation, equipment seizures, and legal threats for doing the work that democracy requires — reporting the truth.
The Legal Framework of Suppression
The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) has become a primary tool for silencing Kashmiri journalists. UAPA allows suspects to be detained for extended periods without bail and places the burden of proof on the accused. Several prominent Kashmiri journalists have been charged under UAPA for reporting on security force actions.
Internet Shutdowns as Press Suppression
Kashmir holds the world record for the longest internet shutdown in a democracy — the 552-day shutdown imposed after the revocation of Article 370. For journalists, this was not merely inconvenient: it was the complete severing of their ability to file reports, communicate with sources, or let the world know what was happening.
“When journalists are afraid, the truth suffers. And when the truth suffers, the people of Kashmir suffer.”