PCI panel visits J-K to assess media scenario

A three-member panel of the Press Council of India (PCI), visiting Jammu and Kashmir to get a first-hand assessment of the state's media scenario, today met the director of the department of information and public relations here.

The PCI panel met the director of Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) Tariq Ahmad Zargar this morning and held discussions over various issues, an official spokesman said.

The PCI panel comprising Prabhat Kumar Dash, Ashok Upadhyay and Sushma Yadav arrived here yesterday on a five-day visit, in the backdrop of the killing of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari, to assess the media scenario and the challenges facing the working journalists.

The DIPR director apprised the PCI panel of the department's functioning in detail and of the steps being taken by the state to facilitate smooth working and growth of the media organisations and journalists in Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesman said.

He said the PCI panel asked the DIPR to further strengthen the amenities for the media fraternity including starting a welfare scheme, health insurance, pension scheme and travel concessions for working journalists.

The PCI panel is scheduled to meet Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and other government functionaries besides representatives of the media fraternity during their visit, the spokesman said.