Srinagar, Oct 18: Journalists on Saturday expressed strong resentment against what they termed as “utter mismanagement” by the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) authorities, after being denied entry to an official function at the SKICC despite being formally invited.
The event, presided over by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was expected to witness significant announcements related to the healthcare sector. However, the situation took an unexpected turn when members of the press, who had received invitations from SKIMS management, were stopped at the entrance and not permitted to enter the venue.
Calling it a “humiliating experience,” the aggrieved journalists walked out of the SKICC in protest. They accused SKIMS management of displaying a complete lack of coordination and professionalism. “This is a new way of humiliating journalists by first inviting them and then disallowing them to enter the venue to discharge their professional duties,” rued one of the journalists present at the SKICC gate.
The protesting journalists said such treatment was not an isolated incident, recalling similar episodes during previous SKIMS-organized events. “It has now become a pattern. Journalists are being made to feel unwelcome and disrespected even after official invitations,” said another senior reporter.
Media professionals asserted that the episode has tarnished the institution’s image, especially since SKIMS enjoys the status of a premier medical institute in Jammu and Kashmir. They demanded that the government intervene and ensure that the dignity and professional role of journalists are upheld in all official functions.
The journalists also urged media associations to take up the matter formally with the administration to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, emphasizing that respect for press freedom and proper coordination with the media are integral to transparent governance. [KNT]
