Srinagar, 03 May(KNS): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Sunday on International Press Freedom Day said the true essence of any democratic system is recognized in the shape of right to free speech and free press, saying the day reminds us of the inevitability of having a vibrant and pluralistic press.

While underscoring the centrality of free and fare press in a democratic set up, Party’s Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said on this day we celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, “It goes without saying how important a role a free press plays in contributing to the knowledge of a common person and in calling the attention of citizen towards the irregularities in the working of government. It also highlights various social issues. It is a day of acknowledging, and appreciating the role of press. I on my behalf and on behalf of my party pay earnest tributes to all those scribes, journos, who lost their lives in the line of duty. The theme of this year’s world press freedom day is: Journalism without fear or favor. It is extremely important for the government to ensure full implementation of the right to freedom of speech as fortified in the constitution, and on the other hand it is no less important for the press fraternity also to renew its commitment to fairness while reporting and providing fact based analysis.”

Extolling the role of Journalistic fraternity in Kashmir, he said that the undue reprisals in one or other form have made it very difficult.(KNS)