DIPR’s initiative to verify media credentials is timely, but regulation must respect constitutional freedoms
The order issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), directing the District Information Officers (DIOs) of both Jammu and Kashmir divisions to maintain close surveillance over individuals misusing the identity of media professionals and to take necessary action in coordination with district administrations and police authorities, is a timely and appropriate step to contain the menace of ‘fake’ journalists indulging in unscrupulous activities across the Union Territory.
This directive came after the government found that certain individuals were misusing the name of the media for blackmail, extortion, coercion of officials, and the circulation of unverified or defamatory material against public institutions and officers. It is pertinent to mention that such elements, posing as journalists without any professional training or commitment to ethics, not only undermine the credibility of the media but also erode public trust in institutions. Therefore, the measures initiated by the authorities are both justified and necessary. Reports suggest that authorities in the Kashmir Valley have already launched a comprehensive exercise to identify and curb this growing menace.
In this context, the Baramulla district administration has directed all media persons to submit their credentials within seven days. It is likely that other districts will follow suit and conduct similar verification drives in their respective jurisdictions. This coordinated approach is important, as Jammu and Kashmir, being a Union Territory with a sensitive law-and-order environment, cannot afford the risks posed by unregulated and unethical media activities.
Baramulla district has made it clear that only those media persons duly validated and authenticated by the competent authorities will be allowed to attend official functions, press conferences, and VIP/VVIP visits within the district. Unverified individuals will be barred from doing so in any capacity. Reports also indicate that the Kupwara administration has adopted a similar policy.
However, what is equally important is to ensure that the effort to curb fake journalism does not inadvertently restrict the freedom of expression, particularly in the realm of social media-based journalism. It would be unreasonable to expect district administrations or information officers to act as arbiters of who qualifies as a journalist, as such actions may risk contravening the constitutional right to free speech. The more pertinent question is how to determine who can legitimately be classified as a ‘fake’ journalist.
It is, therefore, imperative for the government to frame a well-defined regulatory framework for registering and monitoring social media journalists. Such a mechanism should uphold journalistic integrity while ensuring that genuine voices are not silenced or discouraged. This framework must be consultative, transparent, and in consonance with constitutional freedoms.
In the meantime, district administrations should focus on verifying credentials, maintaining records of bona fide journalists, and ensuring that transparency and accountability prevail in the media sector across the Union Territory.
All said and done, it has become essential to tighten the noose around individuals and even groups who falsely claim to be journalists merely by creating Facebook pages or YouTube channels and then engage in blackmail or extortion. These elements damage not only the reputation of journalism but also the very spirit of democratic discourse. The DIPR’s initiative, if implemented with balance and fairness, can help restore credibility to the media fraternity in Jammu and Kashmir.
