A Microphone and a Camera Does Not Make a Journalist ; MLA Bandipora

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, Oct 31: The Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bandipora, Nizamuddin Bhat, has issued a strong appeal for responsible journalism, criticizing the proliferation of what he termed “unregulated reporting.”

Speaking in the house during the autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Bhat as per Kashmir Convener expressed deep concern over the current media landscape. “Nowadays, anyone can arrive with a microphone and a camera,” he stated, highlighting the ease with which individuals can present themselves as journalists.

He emphasized that rigorous reporting for public scrutiny is a complex responsibility, arguing that when handled carelessly, it “leads to a distortion of facts.” The lawmaker revealed that such distortions have not only caused public grievance but have also led to the defamation of individuals.

While acknowledging his respect for professional journalists—whom he described as “fully trained and morally equipped”—Bhat stressed that ethical media stands on two pillars: “one is facts, the other is ethics.” He identified official accreditation as a vital mechanism for upholding these standards, describing it as an essential tool to distinguish legitimate journalists.

Drawing from his own experience in the profession, Bhat contrasted the current media environment with earlier times. He recalled that accreditation was once stringently granted only to representatives of recognized news organizations or acknowledged freelancers. He lamented the present scenario, noting that a particularly damaging trend is the “circulation of images without any accountability.”

The MLA urged journalists to act responsibly “for the sake of society and for their own self-respect.”