DIPR Orders Crackdown on Fake Journalists After Malicious Campaigns Target Ministers, Legislators

Srinagar: The president of Press club of Kashmir, Mr Mohammad Saleem Pandit appreciated and endorsed the step of Jammu & Kashmir Information and Public Relations Department, wherein it directed all the concerned to keep vigil on the impersonation of the fake uneducated “journalists” to check the blackmail, extortion, coercion of officials, and circulation of unverified and defamatory material against public institutions and officers and also private individuals.

Importantly, the Press Club of Kashmir has already moved the Hon’ble Jammu and Kashmir High Court for a writ of mandamus and sought the direction to the Jammu and Kashmir government to fix graduation as the minimum qualification for journalists and photojournalists and preferably a graduation in Mass Communication or PG. However, the hon’ble court has admitted the writ and issued notice to the UT government to formalise modalities for fixing qualification for the journalists in Jammu and Kashmir to arrest the misuse of the right to express under Article 19 (a), Mr Saleem Pandit in a statement said on Friday.

Notably, the president of the press club of Kashmir, Mr Pandit is also in receipt of the letter from the Labour Commissioner, which seeks the details of all the journalists working with various media houses in the Kashmir valley, to make available thier PF details in order to ensure old pension to them after having rendered 20 years of service in the field of journalism.

The president further welcomed the Information department order, which directed all DIOs to exercise heightened vigilance and ensure several measures, including maintaining and regularly updating a verified list of accredited, authorised and bona fide media persons operating within the district, in consultation with the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) and media houses. “Ensure that press releases, media invites, and official briefings are shared only with verified and recognised journalists or media outlets through email and social media channels. Keep a close watch and immediately report any person or entity misusing media credentials, indulging in coercion, or attempting to malign officials, institutions, or private individuals for personal or financial gain.”

It is heartening to learn that the press club demand has been partially met by the issuance of the communique, which instructed DIOs to sensitise local media houses and advise editors to Exercise due diligence while engaging correspondents, freelancers, or stringers in the field, and engage only qualified, credible, and verified correspondents, ensuring issuance of proper verifiable authorisation letters and ID cards.