‘Draft under examination, policy to address social media’s growing role, accountability’
Srinagar, Oct 29: Jammu and Kashmir’s proposed new media policy will cover social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, with the draft currently under examination and nearing finalisation, Director Information Mamta Yadav said on Thursday.
“If any policy is made, there is a process for it. We have sent a draft and are continuously responding to the queries that are coming in,” Yadav told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), expressing hope that the policy would be finalised soon.
She said the proposed policy would address areas not covered under the existing framework, particularly the growing role of social media in communication and public outreach.
“Social media has grown significantly, with platforms like Instagram and Facebook. We have included these aspects in the new policy,” Yadav said.
The proposed policy comes amid a debate over the growing number of unregulated social media news platforms, online trolling and the circulation of misleading content in Jammu and Kashmir.
On September 30, Education and Health Minister Sakina Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly that the government was working on a new media policy and that the Information Department had been given four months to formulate the guidelines.
The issue was raised by National Conference MLA Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, who sought measures to address the alleged misuse of social media and online attacks on public representatives.
During the discussion, several legislators called for a regulatory framework to tackle the issue, while others cautioned against restrictions that could undermine press freedom.
Itoo said politicians could not hold the media solely responsible for the misuse of social media, noting that political actors also contributed to the problem. She also called for greater accountability for content circulated on online platforms. (KNO)
