Kishtwar Establishes Committee to Monitor ‘Fake News’ on Social Media

Jammu, September 5 – Authorities in Kishtwar have established a three-member committee with the aim of monitoring social media channels to combat the spread of “false and baseless” news that tarnishes the government’s reputation.

In an official directive issued by Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Devansh Yadav, the committee will be led by Additional Deputy Commissioner Inderjeet Parihar, with Deputy Superintendent of Police Ishan Gupta and District Information Officer Munit Sharma serving as its members.

The order states, “The committee will maintain continuous vigilance and monitor various social media platforms daily, and it will report or recommend cases of false media reporting or portals to the undersigned for further necessary actions.”

Furthermore, the order grants the committee’s leader the authority to include any other officer or official in the ‘Social Media Monitoring Cell’ with prior permission.

Deputy Commissioner Yadav emphasized that there has been a notable increase in the dissemination of fake news through various online social media outlets. He noted, “Several instances have come to light where fake and frivolous reporting, particularly targeting government officials, has cast a negative light on the government machinery.”

Yadav stressed the importance of media practitioners adhering to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Codes) Rules, urging them to follow these guidelines diligently.