Jammu, Feb 12: Taking cognisance of concerns raised by members across party lines over online smear campaigns, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Thursday assured a separate half-an-hour discussion on the issue during the ongoing budget session.
The issue was raised in the House amid allegations that fake social media accounts and politically motivated handles were circulating defamatory content and misleading videos against elected representatives, damaging their reputation and undermining the dignity of the House.
Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir government informed the assembly that a dedicated media monitoring cell has been established in the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to track and counter fake and misleading information in real time.
Replying to a starred question by MLA R S Pathania, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo said the DIPR issued 28 rebuttals related to fake news and misinformation from April 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026. Of these, 20 were issued through press releases and eight through the department’s official social media handles
he said the media monitoring cell continuously scans websites, news channels and social media platforms, and promptly issues rebuttals upon identifying misleading content.
However, the minister said regulation or suspension of websites, digital platforms, online news channels or private fact checking units (FCUs) does not fall within the scope of the information department.
Itoo said all government departments have designated nodal officers to monitor department-specific fake news while imposition of fines against individuals, organisations or corporate entities for spreading fake news does not come under the purview of the information department.
Regarding cyber security preparedness, the minister said comprehensive multi-layered measures have been undertaken to strengthen digital infrastructure across departments.
National Conference legislators and BJP leaders Sham Lal Sharma and Balwant Singh Mankotia also supported Pathania, pressing the chair to permit a discussion on what they described as a “serious issue,” alleging sustained attempts by certain elements to tarnish the image of legislators and the House.
With members demanding accountability for those operating fake accounts and spreading defamatory material, the speaker directed the matter be listed separately for detailed discussion during the ongoing session.
