Jammu and Kashmir prepares guidelines for social media journalism

The Jammu and Kashmir government is preparing a new media policy to regulate social media journalists, the Legislative Assembly was told on Wednesday. Information Minister Sakina Itoo said a House Committee had given the Information Department four months to formulate guidelines. The committee, chaired by senior MLA and former minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, met on July 13 after members raised concerns about the growth of social media journalism.

National Conference MLA Bashir Veeri had asked about the proposed framework. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said he had previously asked the government to conduct a comprehensive study of media functioning and develop guidelines for action against those who broke the law. NC MLA Nazir Gurezi argued that the ease of using a phone to present oneself as a journalist had contributed to misuse of social media.

Peoples Democratic Party MLA Waheed Para responded that the government should not use regulation to impose censorship. Itoo said the media, including print and electronic outlets, was essential but acknowledged shortcomings in the current environment. She said legislators and political parties also shared responsibility because they used mobile phones and social media to publish material.

The Minister referred to a page allegedly created by a member under the name of the member’s wife’s maid. She said such pages were used to attack ministers and damage people’s dignity, while also noting that not all responsibility lay with media personnel. Itoo said the Information Department would produce a comprehensive policy containing rules, regulations and scrutiny.

She said strict action should follow when malpractice was established. She also suggested that mobile phones might be barred from the Assembly for members and journalists.