The latest directive issued by the Jammu and Kashmir administration to deal with individuals posing as journalists is a necessary measure that should have been taken a long time ago. The action tackles an ongoing problem that has not only robbed journalists of the integrity of the media but has threatened the security and trustworthiness of authentic journalists. The extremely positive response from Jammu and Kashmir Accredited Journalists Association stresses the significance of the action and the relief it has provided to the professional media community.
For far too long, journalism in the region has needed to address individuals posing as journalists with no verification or credentials. These individuals use blackmail, extortion, and slander, not truth or accountability, as their tools. The actions of these individuals, who operate without any verification or ethical responsibility, have ruined the noble profession of journalism, eroded the trust of the public, and created a dangerous environment for real journalists. When the difference between a journalist and a fraud is obscured, it is the public’s right to true information that suffers, and this affects all of us.
The government’s circular, issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), is laudable for its pragmatic approach. Creating a verified, up-to-date, accredited journalists’ register, and restricting official communication to that small list allows for a clear and accountable system. Calling for coordinated legal action against these impostors demonstrates that this republic will not tolerate the sabotage of its public policy work. Such a coordinated, structured response is much more effective than dealing with complaints in an ad hoc manner. In fact, it is critical to removing these elements from our systems.
Also noteworthy is the fact that the circular puts responsibility onto the media houses as well. The request for due diligence – via editors and owners – in hiring reporters, correspondents, freelancers, and stringers is an important piece of the puzzle. Media organisations need to be the first line of defence. Adhering to the ethical standards of Press Council of India and the DIPR guidelines is not an overly bureaucratic requirement, it is a real civic duty to the audience. By soliciting unauthorized stringers, with limited due diligence, you are just a sign for disaster.
If this process is implemented sincerely and sustained, it will go a long way to restoring the sanctity of journalism. It will safeguard the integrity of the profession, protect genuine journalists, and more importantly, reinforce the responsibility of the media institution in Jammu and Kashmir to remain a credible, responsible, and accountable voice of democracy. This is not an administrative order but an important step in getting to the truth.
