LG Sinha orders crackdown on ‘fake journalists’ in Jammu Kashmir

November 3, 2025 by News Desk

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has directed officials to take “strict action” against individuals posing as journalists in Jammu and Kashmir, instructing departments to recognise and engage only verified media professionals.

According to officials familiar with the matter, the issue was discussed during a high-level review meeting chaired by the Lieutenant Governor in Srinagar on Monday. The discussion follows concerns raised during the recently concluded autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, where several legislators sought measures to curb the misuse of journalism credentials.

“The LG was categorical that those misusing the name of journalism must face the law,” said a senior official present in the meeting. “He directed all Deputy Commissioners and SSPs to take concrete steps to identify such elements and weed them out from the system.”

Sinha reportedly instructed officers to jointly prepare a verified database of accredited and active journalists in each district. Departments have been asked to entertain only those media representatives whose credentials are verified by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR).

He also directed that individuals or groups running Facebook pages, online portals, or social media handles under the banner of journalism must be registered and verified by the DIPR. “Digital media platforms must be made accountable for the content they publish and should function strictly within the bounds of media ethics and lawful reporting,” the Lieutenant Governor said, according to an official statement.

Officials said the move comes amid “growing complaints” that certain individuals claiming to be journalists were allegedly misusing media identification cards or social media influence to intimidate officials and seek favours.

“The government values the role of genuine journalists who report with integrity and responsibility,” another senior officer noted. “However, action against those bringing disrepute to the profession is inevitable.”

Earlier, the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) had directed all District Information Officers in Kashmir to intensify vigilance against so-called fake journalists. (With Inputs from KDC)