Srinagar, Oct 10: The Jammu and Kashmir government will formulate a new media policy within four months to bring greater accountability and discipline to the media landscape, Minister Sakeena Itoo said on Saturday, expressing concern over the growing influence of unprofessional individuals operating through social media platforms.
Speaking to reporters in Kulgam, Itoo said the government had already informed the Legislative Assembly about its decision to introduce a media policy, which would seek to address concerns over irresponsible reporting while recognising the role of professional journalism.
“The media is a bridge between the people and the government. We cannot say that everyone in the media is wrong. There are many highly professional, educated and responsible journalists who perform their duties with dedication,” Itoo said.
However, the minister expressed concern over what she described as the emergence of unprofessional individuals operating through Facebook and other social media platforms, questioning their journalistic standards and accountability.
“Today, the problem is that we have Facebook media. Whatever they do or say on Facebook, many of them are not professional people. At the same time, we have very good, professional and educated people working in the media,” she said.
Referring to a question raised in the Legislative Assembly regarding the Information Department, Itoo said the government had made its position clear on the proposed policy.
“There was a question regarding information in the Assembly, and we have already replied that the government is bringing a media policy. That policy will be formulated within four months,” she said.
The minister stressed that the proposed framework should ensure discipline and accountability, particularly in cases where individuals use social media platforms to make unsubstantiated allegations or damage the reputation of others.
She said freedom to criticise the government or public representatives should not be confused with the freedom to make irresponsible statements or attack someone’s personal dignity.
“Healthy criticism is welcome. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it, and we are ready to accept it. But unnecessarily damaging someone’s dignity or reputation cannot be justified. There must be accountability for such actions,” Itoo said.
She maintained that professional journalism had an important role in strengthening communication between the government and the public, while reiterating the need to address practices that undermine the credibility of the media.
The minister said the proposed media policy would be formulated within the announced four-month period. (KNS)
