SRINAGAR, DEC 21: Jammu and Kashmir administration has decided to regulate the WhatsApp and Facebook newsgroups and pages in Kashmir to curb the spread of fake news.
Kashmir has always been a fertile ground for rumours. History is a witness to many instances where rumors drove the valleyities to despair. There are hundreds of social media news pages running in Kashmir. They often upload the content without any authentication.
A senior official said that J&K Police has been identifying the news pages that spread fake news.
“There are hundreds of social media news pages operating in Kashmir. There is no check on them. They upload any content without authentication. It has been decided to oversee WhatsApp and Facebook news groups as a measure to curb the spread of fake news. These pages also upload the content about the investment scam in Kashmir without authentication,” the official said.
In 2016, the government issued a circular that mandates the registration of WhatsApp news groups. The government also directed the operators of social media news agencies to obtain proper permission from the concerned deputy commissioners for posting news on social media news groups along with sources.
The aim of this regulation was to curb the spread of rumours on groups. However, nothing has been done in this regard so far.
A police official said that the government had blocked several Facebook pages and WattsApp groups where people had posted false information. “Now there are thousands of such pages and groups and it is very difficult to keep surveillance on all of them,” he said.
He said those who are found involved in cybercrime or posting false information are to be booked under the IT Act with a minimum and maximum punishment of six months and two years respectively.
J&K Police has already issued comprehensive guidelines under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) to curb the misuse of social media platforms in Kashmir Valley.
The decision comes in the wake of increasing concerns about the spread of false information and the potential for social media to be used to incite violence or disturb public tranquillity.
Under the newly implemented guidelines, social media platforms have been asked to prevent the dissemination of misleading or provocative content that could lead to law and order issues. The guidelines also highlight the importance of promoting a positive and constructive online environment.
