Govt Tightens Verification Norms for Journalists Across Kashmir Division

SRINAGAR: The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Jammu and Kashmir, has issued a directive to all District Information Officers (DIOs) in the Kashmir Division to exercise strict vigilance and report any misuse of media identity or impersonation by unauthorised individuals posing as journalists.

The order followed repeated complaints from departments, public representatives, and media houses about individuals operating without accreditation and misusing the name of the media for blackmail, extortion, and the circulation of defamatory content.

The directive instructs DIOs to maintain an updated list of accredited and authorised journalists and ensure that press releases, media invites, and official briefings are shared only with verified media professionals. It further calls for immediate reporting of impersonation cases to the police and district authorities for legal action.

The circular also asks DIOs to sensitise editors and media houses to verify credentials before engaging correspondents or freelancers and to disassociate from individuals found misusing media identity for personal gain. Editors have been urged to uphold journalistic ethics as defined by the Press Council of India and DIPR’s accreditation guidelines.

The DIPR emphasised that the move aims to protect the integrity of journalism in the region and curb unethical practices carried out under the guise of press identity.