‘MLAs, Ministers being dishonoured on social media’

Jammu, Feb 12: In a rare spectacle, the J&K Legislative Assembly on Thursday saw the legislators, cutting across party lines, expressing unanimity in flagging concern vis-a-vis the defamatory content being churned out in the media, particularly at different social media platforms against them with impunity, severely damaging their reputation.

The MLAs and ministers, even the Speaker, were at the receiving end in the onslaught through fake news, defamatory Fb pages, doctored videos etc., and the spiralling menace was becoming uncontrollable ñ was the shared concern in the House.

But there was no effective mechanism in place to check the trend, was the lamentation of the members of the treasury and opposition benches as few even shared their personal accounts in the House.

Speaker A R Rather, fully endorsing the concerns and considering the gravity of the situation, announced that the issue would be thoroughly deliberated in the House during a special half-an-hour discussion.

Since the issue was flagged by BJP MLA R S Pathania through his question on ìtackling fake news and misinformationî, the Speaker suggested, ìAs all the members are concerned about this issue related to your (Pathaniaís) question and the MLAs from both the treasury and opposition benches have to say something, we will convene a discussion on it in the House during this session only.î

He asked Pathania to move a notice on this account. ìSince you were mover of the question, therefore you submit a notice stating that the members wanted to raise more questions on this account but the time did not permit it. Therefore, a half-an-hour discussion should be convened on this issue in the House during the current session,î Rather advised Pathania.

Minister for Social Welfare Sakeena Itoo intervened, stating that the discussion should be on the issue and not the question. ìQuestion has already been answered,î Itoo pointed out.

Rather stated, ìIt is okay. When I say half-an-hour discussion on the question. It means issue only as basically the question originated it (issue).î

Earlier Pathania, while raising supplementary to his question, asked, ìIs there any coordination among the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Police, CID and IT department? There are umpteen number of Facebook points, Facebook channels, YouTube, Instagram accounts which have simply damaged the social fabric, democracy, governance and flow of information.î

Quoting the Ministerís reply, Pathania rued that the department (DIPR) only issued 28 rebuttals regarding fake news and misinformation being spread by various websites, news channels, social media accounts.

ìIn my case, a doctored video has been uploaded by the national party ñ Indian National Congress uploaded on its handle. I approached the Police, Information Department and the government also but no action was taken. My party colleague and MLA Pawan Gupta too made repeated complaints against an unverified channel. My humble submission is – Why has not the Information department through its enforcement wing filed any FIR or seized or shut the guilty accounts or channels?î Pathania questioned.

At this point, the members from treasury benches too joined the chorus with Pathania. National Conferenceís Nazir Gurezi said, ìWe all are with you on this account.î

Speaker Rather too endorsed the point raised by Pathania. ìMinister Sahiba, I want to add one point to it, I generally receive such complaints. He (Pathania) is right in saying that the enforcement wing should be activated as it involves a personís dignity. Many honourable members had raised this issue last year and even this year, they are coming with similar complaints. These things are happening and they should be curbed with stringent action. These matters should not be suppressed,î Speaker instructed.

Minister Sakeena Itoo said that it was the entire Houseís concern as the damage being done by such fake news in media or social media was beyond description. ìAlmost every day, a smearing campaign is run on Fb media or the other media, severely damaging the reputation of one person or the other,î Itoo said.

She, however, clarified that the DIPR was not authorized to punish anyone and it did not have any enforcement wing.

Though the Question Hour ended, the issue lingered on and Gurezi addressing the Chair, said, ìSir, there is a video in circulation making allegations against many members. Your (Speakerís) name is also there. My name is there.î

When did it come and what was it, the Speaker asked.

ìSir, did you not watch it? Through a particular political partyís handle, it was shown wherein a man was alleging that Nazir Gurezi took Rs 80 lakh for providing a job; for Shafi Sahib, it was alleged, he took Rs 25 lakh. In your case, it was alleged that you (Speaker) took Rs 1 Cr. I went to the court which directed the government to get it removed from that handle. Even if it is removed, it has tarnished our image. Who will believe that it was a white lie? Convene one hour discussion on it and an action should be taken against those who are maligning us,î Gurezi said.

Sakeena Itoo stated the political persons, involved in the smearing campaign and propagating and spreading such fake propaganda too should be punished.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Sham Sharma, joined by his party colleague, Balwant Singh Mankotia, raised the issue of a smear campaign launched against all the MLAs by an ex-legislator.

ìHe is a three-time (ex) MLA. Around a dozen FIRs have been filed against him. He staged a dharna yesterday in the legislature complex stating that he was felicitated with the best legislator award. He used abusive expressions against the legislators of the House. I will provide you with the documents,î Sham Sharma said.

Mankotia too endorsed his point and sought action against him. ìHe  (ex MLA) alleged that I used Hawala money to contest the election,î Mankotia informed the chair, seeking action.

ìIíll examine the issue and will take appropriate action,î the Speaker assured.

Earlier, in her reply to Pathaniaís question, Itoo had informed the House that 28 rebuttals were issued by the DIPR between April 1 2025 and January 31, 2026, through 20 press releases and eight through social media handles.

She stated the Information Department established a dedicated Media Monitoring Cell (MMC) in the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to track fake and misleading news on real time basis and issue prompt rebuttals through press releases and official social media platforms.

The Minister stated that the MMC continuously monitors print, electronic and social media platforms and as soon as any fake or misleading content was identified, rebuttals and fact-check posts are issued to keep the public informed.

The Minister further said that all the departments have designated Nodal Officers to monitor department specific misinformation. She added that these officers have been provided login credentials to upload fake news details on a dedicated portal created by DIPR for timely rebuttal and dissemination.

Itoo also clarified that the regulation of websites, digital platforms and online news channels does not fall under the mandate of the Information Department, adding that the imposition of penalties or fines on organizations spreading misinformation is outside its purview.

She made it clear that the Information Department does not recognize or authorize any private Fact Checking Unit (FCU), nor does it verify or grade such entities.

Referring to the evolving media landscape, she said that suitable provisions have been proposed in the draft New Media Policyñ2026 to establish a regulatory framework for news and social media along with print media and the draft policy is currently under inter-departmental consultation for finalization.

Sharing inputs from the Information Technology Department, the Minister said that comprehensive measures have been undertaken to strengthen the cyber security infrastructure across government departments/institutions and provide them sustained support against the emerging cyber threats and digital manipulations.

She added that mandatory security audits of websites and web applications hosted on State Data Centre and NIC Mini Data Centre have been conducted besides redundant websites have been decommissioned.

She further highlighted that the J&K Media Policy 2020 authorises DIPR to monitor content for fake news, plagiarism and unethical or anti-national activities and de-empanel media houses or withhold government advertisements in such cases. She added that if such entities are registered by the Press Registrar General of India under Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, their de-registration is recommended under this act.