KNB News Desk
Srinagar, Aug 6 (KNB): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manzoor Bhat on Thursday urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration, Police and the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to take stringent action against unregistered social media news portals, alleging that several such platforms are spreading misinformation, disturbing public order, promoting anti-India narratives and, in some cases, indulging in blackmail and extortion under the guise of journalism.
Bhat said the growing number of unauthorized social media platforms claiming to be news organisations has emerged as a serious challenge to the credibility of professional journalism.
He urged the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to introduce a transparent verification mechanism to distinguish accredited and recognised journalists from individuals operating without legal recognition.
“There should be a proper system to verify who is authorised to operate news portals and who is functioning outside the legal framework,” he said.
Bhat expressed concern that genuine journalists are the biggest victims of the mushrooming of unregistered and unethical platforms, stating that their activities are damaging the reputation of the entire media fraternity.
He said journalism must be guided by accountability, responsibility and professional ethics, adding that merely creating a Facebook page or social media portal should not entitle anyone to claim the status of a journalist without complying with the applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Calling for a robust regulatory mechanism, Bhat urged the administration and police to identify illegal news portals and take strict legal action against those found involved in blackmail, extortion or any other unlawful activities while ensuring protection for genuine media professionals.
He further said that accredited and duly recognised journalists working within the framework of law and professional ethics deserve institutional support and priority.
Appealing to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to personally intervene, Bhat urged him to direct the concerned departments to take effective action against unregistered social media news portals allegedly operating in violation of the law.
He said regulating such platforms would help protect the credibility of professional journalism, strengthen public trust, safeguard democratic values and curb the misuse of media platforms for spreading misinformation and other unlawful activities. (KNB)