The Editors Guild of India raised concerns on Wednesday regarding the ongoing mutual blocking of news websites between India and Pakistan, cautioning that such blanket restrictions jeopardize democratic values and public trust in the region.
In a statement, the Guild emphasized that unrestricted access to news, especially among neighboring South Asian nations, is critical for fostering understanding and dialogue. The organization highlighted that blocking cross-border journalism exacerbates fear and mistrust rather than addressing the root issues.
The Guild acknowledged instances where media outlets in both countries have exceeded professional journalism standards, including the dissemination of misinformation and sensationalized reporting. Such practices pose risks to lives and deteriorate democratic institutions.
However, the Guild stressed that broad bans do not resolve these challenges. “A blanket ban does not expunge ground realities,” the statement read, asserting that such measures contradict the essence of democracy and freedom of expression.
The Guild urged the governments of India and Pakistan to take a more considered approach in tackling unethical journalism and called for the immediate lifting of restrictions on news websites to restore access to cross-border reporting.
Recent reports confirm that at least 12 Pakistani news websites were blocked in India between April and May, including the prominent English-language daily, Dawn. Conversely, eight Indian news media websites experienced access restrictions on certain networks within Pakistan.
The statement from the Editors Guild of India highlights the ongoing issue of media censorship in the region and the need for collaborative efforts to ensure free and fair journalism.
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