Politicians not a threat to media: Omar

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said politicians aren't as much of a threat to the "independent media" as "spare cash" being used to "mop up" electronic and print media groups. Omar made this observation against the backdrop of the raging controversy over Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's attack on sections of the electronic media.[caption id="attachment_1408151" align="alignleft" width="380"] Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] He also raised a question as to whether there could be a media freed from "deep pockets and other vested interests". "I like how we are being asked if we want a media freed from politicians. How about a media freed from deep pockets and other vested interests?," Omar asked in a Twitter post. Making it clear that politicians were not a threat to the fourth pillar of democracy, Omar said, "Politicians aren't as much of a threat to a 'free and independent media' as spare cash being used to mop up electronic & print media groups is." PTI