The abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 has created a striking divergence in the media landscapes of Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

In PoK, press freedom remains under severe strain. The latest concerns arose after two independent Pakistani journalists, Razi Tahir and Muhammad Saif, reportedly disappeared on 1 August. Witnesses claim they were taken away by men dressed in police uniforms from their office in Islamabad.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has demanded their immediate release and disclosure of their whereabouts. Both had recently reported on unrest in PoK, where internet restrictions and tighter controls on reporting were imposed during widespread protests.

Their disappearance is not an isolated case. Independent journalist Syed Farhad Ali Shah continues to remain in custody for his coverage of the protests. International watchdogs have repeatedly warned of shrinking space for independent journalism in Pakistan, particularly on issues connected to Kashmir.

In stark contrast, Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed significant growth in its media sector since the constitutional changes of 2019. Official records from the Press Council of India confirm that the Union Territory now has 425 government-registered newspapers and publications. Of these, 259 are based in the Jammu Division and 166 in the Kashmir Division.

The print sector has been complemented by the expansion of local television channels and digital news platforms. Online journalism has flourished, supported by improved digital connectivity, expanding internet access, and greater adoption of digital media across the region.

This growth has enabled wider dissemination of news and provided communities with multiple platforms to share their voices. Coverage now spans governance, infrastructure, tourism, education, entrepreneurship, sports, and cultural developments, reflecting a diversified information ecosystem.

The contrast is stark. In PoK, journalists face disappearances, arrests, and restrictions, while in Jammu & Kashmir, the media has diversified and expanded, creating opportunities for broader news dissemination and public engagement.

The divergence underscores two trajectories: one marked by suppression and censorship, the other by growth and pluralism in the aftermath of constitutional transformation.

ANI