The first meeting of Ladakh Media Accreditation Committee to scrutinize and consider the applications by news media representatives for accreditation with UT Ladakh was chaired by  Secretary Information, Padma Angmo on June 22.

Secretary Padma Angmo said that media plays a crucial role as the fourth pillar of democracy and the accredited news persons hold greater responsibility to uphold journalism ethics. She said that there has been a demand from media persons of Ladakh for accreditation and the UT Administration is committed to accredit eligible applicants as per the laid down guidelines. 

Taking note of the suggestion made by the committee members, the Secretary agreed to conduct a workshop for capacity building of journalists in Ladakh by Department of Information & Public Relations in collaboration with Press Clubs of Leh and Kargil. 

Secretary Padma added that subsequent to the UT level accreditation, accreditation at the district level can be considered on the same lines. 

A total of 33 news media representatives from Leh and Kargil  applied for accreditation.

The Media Accreditation Committee members including Suhail Ahmed, Deputy Director, I&PRD, Ladakh; Ghulam Nabi Tak, AD, I&PR Department, Leh; R. Ramesh Chandra, News Head DDK, Leh; Yangchan Dolma, General Secretary, Press Club, Leh; Morup Stanzin, Spokesperson, Press Club, Leh and Stanzin Dasal, Editor, Reach Ladakh Bulletin, Leh were present in the meeting. Mohd Ali Tak, Assistant Director, I&PR Department, Kargil; Muhammad Ali Waziri, Editor, Weekly Voice of Ladakh; Aga Syed Hashim Razvi, Executive Editor, Weekly Voice of Ladakh; Anayat Ali, News Correspondent, Kargil and Muhammad Ibrahim Firdous, Photojournalist, Rangyul, Kargil from Kargil district participated in the meeting through video conference.