New media policy within four months, minister tells House
Srinagar, Sep 30: Social media trolling, viral videos and unregulated online platforms dominated proceedings on the final day of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s Autumn Session, with lawmakers calling for regulation while others warned against censorship.
Minister for Information Sakina Itoo, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) told the House that the Information Department would frame a new media policy and guidelines within four months to address concerns over unregulated social media platforms.
The debate began after MLA S Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri raised concerns over social media trolling of legislators. Referring to the recent controversy involving MLA Altaf Kaloo and a viral video featuring Happident chewing gum, he said there was an urgent need for rules to prevent online “mud-slinging”.
Kaloo said the video had damaged his image by portraying the chewing gum as a tobacco product. While stressing that he was not against the media, he said private matters were increasingly being put in the public domain. He also sought verification of journalists covering the Assembly and action against those responsible for circulating objectionable content.
NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq said social media was important for disseminating information but called for safeguards against image morphing and the misuse of digital platforms.
MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi praised the role of the press but expressed concern over unregulated social media handlers. He said anyone carrying a microphone and a press card could claim to be a journalist and sought legislation to regulate the sector.
PDP MLA Waheed Para opposed restrictions, arguing that media could not be controlled and that the answer to problematic content was greater access to information, not censorship.
BJP MLA RS Pathania sought a clear timeline for the proposed legislation, while MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat said the issue required wider deliberation and greater public awareness about responsible social media use.
Responding to the debate, Sakina said the government recognised the vital role of print and electronic media but acknowledged existing loopholes. She said a House committee examining the issue had already met on July 30 and that work on the new policy was underway.
The minister said accountability should not rest solely with the media, alleging that misleading and “mischievous” content was also being circulated through social media pages linked to political actors.
She said the number of Facebook-based media pages far exceeded registered media organisations and alleged that some were being used to malign individuals. She also suggested stricter checks on mobile phones carried by legislators, visitors and mobile-based media personnel entering the Assembly.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the policy, Sakina said clear rules would be defined once it was introduced and violators would face legal action.
During the discussion, she also criticised the circulation of personal content involving public figures, including Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, and called for greater responsibility in the use of social media platforms. (KNO)
