Srinagar, July 19 -- Peoples Conference Chief Spokesperson Advocate Bashir Ahmad Dar on Friday expressed serious concern over what he described as "deliberate and systematic efforts" to undermine press freedom in Jammu and Kashmir through indirect but targeted coercion, including the selective withholding of government advertisements to exert editorial pressure.

In a statement issued here, Adv. Bashir said PC holds an unflinching commitment to media independence, describing it as the bedrock of any functioning democracy.

"The press is not meant to serve as a mouthpiece for those in power but it exists to hold power accountable. Attempts to coerce it into compliance by manipulating resources amount to a direct assault on democratic value...