Ajay Sharma
RAJOURI/REASI, November 5:
Civil society members and local residents in the districts of Reasi and Rajouri have appreciated the Jammu Kashmir government’s recent directive to enforce a check on what it called ‘fake’ journalists, describing it as a long-overdue measure to curb a growing menace in the region and demanded that it is high time to check their source of income.
Talking to the Northlines, scores of locals said that the backlash against fraudulent media practitioners has been building for years.
They alleged that individuals armed with little more than a microphone and a smartphone are exploiting vulnerable communities through blackmail and extortion.
“These so-called journalists are tarnishing the profession of journalism,” said a prominent civil society member from Reasi, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding, “They roam around, recording baseless accusations and using them to harass people for personal gain.”
They asserted that the government’s order is a welcome step, but now it’s time for the District Commissioners (DCs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to act decisively against these elements.
Residents highlighted the pervasive nature of the problem in remote and rural pockets of Reasi and Rajouri, where connectivity is limited and oversight is challenging.
Locals also pointed to a pattern of suspicious activity, claiming that ‘fake’ journalists ventured deep into isolated areas to conduct interviews with individuals allegedly linked to vested interests.
“Why would someone travel so far to these off-the-beaten-path locations just to ‘report’?” questioned a shopkeeper from Rajouri’s border areas during a community gathering, adding “We demand answers: What’s their real source of income? Where does the money come from? This isn’t journalism—it’s a racket.”
The government’s directive to have a check on such ‘fake’ journalists, issued earlier this week, aims to regulate media accreditation and weed out imposters by mandating verification through official channels.
“The order must be enforced without hesitation,” added another local activist, adding, “Reasi and Rajouri have suffered enough from this ‘fake’ news ecosystem. True journalists build trust; these ‘frauds’ destroy it.”
