Legislators Urge Director Info to Enforce Strict Media Accreditation – Alfaaz – The Words

Srinagar: Congress MLA Nizamudin Bhat and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Friday called for stricter regulation of media accreditation and accountability for instances of misreporting, emphasizing the need for professionalism and discipline in legislative coverage.

Speaking in the Assembly, Bhat urged the Directorate of Information to ensure that only verified and qualified journalists are accredited to cover official proceedings. “Nowadays, anyone with a microphone or phone claims to be a journalist. There must be a clear distinction between genuine media professionals and others,” he said.

Echoing similar concerns, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary highlighted recent instances where statements of legislators were distorted in media reports. “A few days ago, remarks exchanged between me and Minister Sakina Itoo were misrepresented by certain outlets. While we respect the press, such acts of misreporting are unacceptable,” he said.

Choudhary urged that reporters found responsible for misreporting should be temporarily barred from covering Assembly proceedings until corrective measures are taken.