GMC Anantnag Bans Unauthorised Social Media Use, Patient-related Content Posting | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The administration of the Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has issued a circular regulating the use of social media by employees, officials, outsourced staff, and students associated with the institution and its affiliated hospitals, warning that platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, and YouTube are increasingly being used in a manner “inconsistent with institutional discipline, professional ethics, and Government instructions”.

The circular, issued by the office of the Principal/Dean of GMC Anantnag, states that the directions have been issued in light of Government Order No. 1646-JK(GAD) of 2017 and Circular No. 09-JK(GAD) of 2023, which lay down guidelines regarding the use of social media by government employees in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the circular, all employees, officers, students, and outsourced staff have been directed not to upload, post, circulate, or share any confidential, official, patient-related, or institution-related information, documents, images, or videos on any social media platform without proper authorisation.

The administration also prohibited employees and students from criticising government policies, institutional functioning, administrative matters, senior officers, colleagues, patients, or workplace issues on social media platforms.

The circular further warned against posting or sharing vulgar, defamatory, threatening, communal, political, misleading, or objectionable content that could affect the reputation and functioning of GMC Anantnag and its associated hospitals.

In another important directive, the institution barred staff and students from airing grievances related to academics, administration, workplace issues, patient care, or service matters on social media, stating that such concerns must only be routed through official channels.

The GMC administration also imposed a complete restriction on unauthorised photography and videography inside hospital and college premises, including operating theatres, wards, emergency sections, and academic areas, particularly for social media circulation.

According to the circular, all concerned must maintain proper conduct while using social media in their personal capacity and avoid any behaviour unbecoming of a public servant.

The administrators and moderators of official and unofficial social media groups related to GMC Anantnag and its associated hospitals have been directed to ensure that no misleading, inappropriate, or unauthorised content is circulated in such groups.(KNO)