The Jammu and Kashmir government informed the Legislative Assembly on Thursday that its Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) had issued 28 rebuttals to fake and misleading news reports between April 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026.
Replying to a question from BJP MLA RS Pathania, officials stated that a dedicated Media Monitoring Cell had been established in DIPR to monitor misinformation in real time.
Of the 28 rebuttals, 20 were issued through press releases, and eight via the official social media handles of the DIPR and the J&K government.
The government clarified that the regulation of websites, digital platforms, online news portals and private fact-checking units (FCUs) neither fall under its jurisdiction, nor does it impose fines for spreading fake news.
It further added that no private FCUs are recognised or authorised by the Information Department in the Union Territory. However, a Draft New Media Policy 2026, which proposes regulation of social media along with print media, is currently under inter-departmental consultation.
During Question Hour, concerns were raised over defamatory content targeting legislators on social media. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather promised a dedicated discussion, describing the issue as “extremely important”.
He acknowledged that demands were coming from both sides and said, “We will hold a half-hour or one-hour discussion on this matter during this session.”
Minister Sakeena Itoo called it “a matter of grave concern for every member”, adding that “fake media and Facebook media have gone beyond control” in Jammu and Kashmir.
She further remarked, “We are ourselves responsible. We ourselves malign each other’s dignity.”
Mainstream media houses and publications in Jammu and Kashmir have repeatedly expressed concern over the rapid rise of ill-trained, unprofessional, self-styled, journalists, whose reporting patterns are extremely worrisome, particularly in sensitive security regions.
The proliferation of untrained “Facebook journalists” in the Kashmir Valley has been flagged as a serious issue, given their lack of professional handling of sensitive matters.
Also Read: Nursing protest: J&K students suspended, JKSA seeks CM help
Follow us
