The administration of districts Anantnag and Shopian have asked the news portals and social media pages to “adhere” to code of ethics.
DC Anantnag, Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, has issued an order requiring all unregistered online news portals and social media pages within the jurisdiction of District Anantnag to adhere to the Code of Ethics outlined in the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
This mandate aims to regulate the publication of news and current affairs content, emphasizing verification and accountability.
Any violation of this order may lead to punitive action under the Indian Penal Code and other relevant legal provisions.
Whereas, the Senior Superintendent of Police Anantnag, vide No: CS/67/23165 Dated;05- 42-2023 has reported that there has been mushrooming of unregistered online news portals/social media pages reporting on news and current affairs, the order stated.
The order stated that, whereas, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Anantnag has further reported that these unregistered online News Portals/Social Media News Portals publish news and current affairs content without any verification and accountability.
Whereas, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, vide No G.S.R. 139(E) dated 25th February, 2021 has notified Information Technology (Intermediatory Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Whereas, these unregistered online News Portals/Social Media News Portals fall within the definition of ‘publisher of news and current affairs content’ and ‘publisher of online curated content as provided under sub clause (t) and (u) of Section 2 of the said notification.
Whereas, as per Section 9(1) of Information Technology (Intermediatory Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021; the publisher of news and current affairs content’ and publisher of online curated content’ need to adhere to the Code of Ethics laid down in the Appendix to these rule.
Now therefore, for the reasons stated in preceding paras, and in exercise of powers conferred upon me by virtue of Section 144 Cr.PC, 1973, I Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, (IAS) District Magistrate Anantnag do hereby order and require all unregistered online News Portals/Social Media News Portals and their owners/publishers, publishing news and current affairs content operating within/ from the jurisdiction of District Anantnag to adhere the Code of Ethics laid down in the Appendix of Information Technology (Intermediatory Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The order shall come into force with immediate effect and any violation of this order shall invite punitive action under section 188 of Indian Penal Code, 1860, and other relevant legal provisions, read the order.
Meanwhile the district administration in Shopian has issued a similar order to “curb anti national” and other activities.
SSP Shopian, Tanushree said that under the section 144 which has been imposed, to educate people about social media and other platforms shopian police warns the such persons who spread fake news and propagate militancy activities here in Shopian district.
She said that those who will be found involved in this will not be spared and will be dealt strictly.
“Use social media but very cautiously either you do forward wrong messages that will be dealt strictly,” she warned.
She added that under UAPA action will be taken and no such person will be spared