Srinagar, July 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Government Assurances on Thursday directed the Information Department to finalise the Draft Media Policy, 2026, and the media accreditation process in a time-bound manner while reviewing the implementation of assurances related to curbing fake news and misinformation.
The committee, chaired by Ali Mohammad Sagar, reviewed the Action Taken Report (ATR) on assurances pertaining to the Information Department and assessed measures taken to strengthen the dissemination of verified government information and counter the spread of misleading content.
During the meeting, the committee was informed that the Draft Media Policy, 2026 proposes the prevention of fake news and misinformation as one of its key objectives. Officials said the draft policy also envisages the appointment of dedicated nodal officers in every government department to facilitate the dissemination of verified information and curb the spread of false narratives.
The committee reviewed the progress made on assurances concerning institutional mechanisms for fact verification, public awareness initiatives and the timely dissemination of authentic information.
Emphasising the need for responsible communication in the digital era, Sagar said effective coordination among departments and timely dissemination of verified information were essential to counter misinformation and maintain public trust. He also called for sustained public awareness campaigns, capacity building and the adoption of modern communication tools to address the challenge of fake news.
The chairman directed the Information Department to expedite the finalisation of the Draft Media Policy and the media accreditation process, while asking officials to ensure the timely implementation of all assurances made before the House.
Committee members also stressed the need for a clear legal and regulatory framework to deal with fake news and misinformation. They called for defining the authority responsible for taking action against fake news, framing guidelines to identify accredited journalists, regulating digital and social media platforms, and introducing measures against self-styled journalists. Some members also suggested making a journalism degree mandatory for journalists and restricting invitations to official functions to registered journalists.
The committee also reviewed the Action Taken Report on assurances relating to the Mining Department. Members sought updates on commitments concerning the regulation of mining activities and enforcement measures.
Sagar directed the Mining Department to ensure effective implementation of legislative assurances through coordinated efforts, regular monitoring and timely compliance, saying adherence to commitments made before the House reflected the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and responsive governance.
