SRINAGAR (Kashmir English): On World Press Freedom Day 2026, the situation for journalists in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continues to be one of the most dangerous and restrictive environments for the media in the disputed territory.
Reports highlight a “repressive” climate characterized by intense state surveillance, harassment, and legal intimidation under draconian laws.
According to a report compiled by Kashmir Media Service Editor, Raies Ahmed Mir on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for media professionals, who continue to perform their duties under extremely difficult circumstances.
Reports leading up to May 3, 2026, indicate that press freedom in the territory has continued to decline, with independent journalism under severe pressure from the BJP-led establishment.
This situation stands in contrast to the spirit of World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3, which highlights the importance of freedom of expression, journalism, and access to information.
Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, the day commemorates the Declaration of Windhoek and aims to protect media independence, celebrate press freedom, and honor journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The report states that the BJP-led Indian government is using strong-arm tactics to stifle media in the occupied territory. Specific incidents include journalists being questioned about their sources, having equipment confiscated, and facing charges for social media posts or news reports deemed “anti-national.”
This has created a climate of fear and self-censorship within the media community.
Journalists face summons, interrogation, and coercion, and are often asked to sign undertakings pledging not to publish content critical of the BJP government, ongoing atrocities, or political injustices following the illegal and military abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A.
Kashmir’s journalism landscape
Kashmir’s journalism landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation, with young journalists caught between strict government oversight, diminishing opportunities, and the rise of unregulated social media reporting.
In this militarily occupied and violence-affected region, newsrooms now sit empty, and local journalism has been muted by surveillance and shrinking press freedoms.
Recent graduates face a stark reality, as viable employment opportunities have nearly vanished.
Ground reports indicate the continued use of black laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA), against journalists.
Journalists such as Irfan Meraj have faced prolonged incarceration, with international bodies noting that in IIOJK “the process itself has become punishment.” Local reporters face constant surveillance, pressure to align with state narratives, and restrictions on field reporting, creating a “chilling effect” on independent journalism.
The forced shutdown of media offices and press clubs, many of which are reportedly controlled by Indian military-linked agencies, has severely crippled independent media functioning in the Kashmir Valley.
The May 2026 report states that India’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has further declined, with the situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir cited as a major contributing factor.
Local political leaders note that despite working under “tremendous pressure,” journalists continue to report on critical issues, often at great personal risk.
The Paris-based organization Reporters Without Borders has released the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, placing India at 157th out of 180 countries, down from 151st last year, reflecting a decline of six places.
Experts attribute this drop to increasing cases against journalists, threats, online harassment, arrests, and restrictions on media houses critical of government policies.
India’s decline in the index comes amid growing global concern over rising violence and censorship against journalists. Among the 180 countries reviewed, India now ranks below several developing nations in Africa and Asia.
The situation remains deeply concerning for international press freedom watchdogs, which continue to urge authorities to allow journalists to work without fear of retaliation.
According to the report, 20 journalists have been confirmed killed while performing their duties during the Kashmiri liberation struggle since 1989.
They include Shabbir Ahmed Dar, Mushtaq Ali, Muhammad Shaban Wakeel, Aasiya Jeelani, Ghulam Muhammad Lone, Ghulam Rasool Azad, Pervez Muhammad Sultan, Shujaat Bukhari, Ali Muhammad Mahajan, Syed Ghulam Nabi, Altaf Ahmed Fakhtoo, Saidan Shafi, Tariq Ahmed, Abdul Majid Butt, Javed Ahmed Mir, PN Handoo, Muhammad Shafi, Pradeep Bhatia, Ashok Sodhi, and Rayees Ahmad Butt.
Journalists are also reportedly not allowed to report freely on ground realities, including cordon and search operations by Indian forces in the occupied territory.
Reporters Without Borders has condemned the intimidation of journalists in IIOJK, citing the case of freelance journalist Majid Hyderi, who reportedly fled police threats and sought refuge in a courtroom. The organization stated that no journalist should be forced to seek protection under such circumstances.
In April 2026, journalist Quratulain Rehbar faced online abuse, doxxing, and communal slurs following her report on voter list revisions in West Bengal. Her reporting highlighted the deletion of large numbers of names, raising concerns among opposition parties about potential disenfranchisement.
On April 30, 2026, Indian police registered multiple cases over social media content linked to pro-freedom narratives. One case targeted individuals sharing videos promoting “Azaadi ideology,” while another named PDP leader Iltija Mufti over a post featuring the late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani.
Exiled Kashmiri photojournalist Masrat Zahra, who left Kashmir in 2021 due to police threats, has highlighted the hostile environment faced by journalists. Her work documenting everyday life and human rights concerns brought her international recognition but also subjected her to legal action under the UAPA and sustained harassment.
French journalist Paul Comiti was arrested while documenting pellet victims in Srinagar on International Human Rights Day in 2017.
He later stated that Kashmiris were facing severe repression and that such realities were being suppressed internationally.
Another French journalist, Vanessa Dougnac, who had earlier been forced to leave India, was later granted a one-year permit to resume work. She had previously faced allegations of “malicious reporting” and administrative pressure.
Several other journalists have faced restrictions, including Annie Gowen of The Washington Post, who was confined in Srinagar in 2018, and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Sanna Irshad Mattoo, who was stopped multiple times from traveling abroad in 2022. Journalist Aakash Hassan was also barred from boarding an international flight without explanation.
Despite these restrictions, Kashmiri journalists continue to resist pressures on media freedom. Local journalist bodies have called on the international community to support press freedom in the region.
Victimization of journalists has increased significantly since August 5, 2019.
Amnesty International India has stated that the arrest of journalist Irfan Meraj reflects a broader pattern of repression targeting media and civil society. The organization has urged authorities to ensure accountability and create a safe environment for journalists and human rights defenders.
In 2024, Irfan Meraj, Akanksha Saxena, and Khalid Khan were recognized with the Human Rights and Religious Freedom Journalism Awards.
On March 21, 2026, a coalition of international organizations called for Meraj’s release, describing his detention as politically motivated. Earlier, in January 2026, a complaint was submitted to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, challenging the legality of his detention under UAPA.
UN experts have also raised concerns that such arrests are aimed at undermining human rights work in the region.
As of May 2026, Reporters Without Borders has reiterated concerns about press freedom in India, noting that journalists continue to face violence and impunity.
The organization has called for an end to the criminalization of journalism through misuse of national security laws.
RSF has also highlighted targeted harassment of women journalists, including online abuse and intimidation aimed at silencing their voices.
Several journalists were killed in India in 2025 while reporting on sensitive issues such as corruption. Cases documented by international organizations point to concerns over accountability and transparency in investigations.
On December 10, 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists urged India to release all imprisoned journalists, warning that continued repression undermines the country’s democratic standing.
