Srinagar, Sep 23 (KNO): The ongoing clampdown has now cast its shadow on the valley based media and publication houses, compelling the management of various newspapers to relieve some of their staff in order to cope up with this challenging issue.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the prevailing uncertainty which continues to hold its grip on the entire Kashmir region for the 50th day, now came to haunt the major media outlets of Kashmir by choking the local advertisements which is a major source of income for most of the media houses. At the same time, the flow of government adds is too less compared to past.
Apart from the prevailing uncertainty, the ongoing cellular communication gag which is not only faced by the locals but the Press, the fourth pillar of democracy continues to face the same fate in Kashmir and the concerned authorities care a fig for it.
Owais Ahmad (name changed), a local journalist working in a local daily told KNO that he has not received my pending salaries of the previous months as the management is citing the prevailing uncertainty as the major reason for the delay in our payments.”
He told the KNO that, he is taking small debts from his friend and relatives for his survival in the present situation. He further said that,” I put forward my issue with the management several times but every time they are pointing out the financial crisis and now I am fearing about my job termination.”
Another graphic designer wishing anonymity told wire service—KNO,” Our organization is facing the economic crisis due to which they are not in a position to release our pending salaries. I have personally approached several times to the management for the release of my pending salary but every time I return back with disappointment.”
He told the wire service –KNO that the prevailing uneasy calm have taken toll on the local advertisement of their daily which was a major source of income for their organization.
He further told KNO,” I don’t know when my pending salary will be released as each passing day is bringing up new challenges for me.”
An editor at the local daily, revealed that they are facing financial crunch owing to the very less flow of private advertisements due the spontaneous shutdown since August 5. “We have not however, fired any staffer, but are hopeful that the add flow improves soon. On the other hand, we are getting less government adds as well, which has added more to our problems,” he said, wishing not to be named. (KNO)