Sunny Dua
sunnydua55@gmail.com
Friday’s debate inside the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on ‘fake news’ was more than a routine discussion as it was a mirror held up to the changing face of journalism in the age of social media. As the speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather called for a comprehensive and well-researched legal framework to tackle misinformation, the emphasis was clear: the unchecked spread of unregulated content, particularly online, poses a serious challenge. His direction to study best practices from across jurisdictions and craft a law that curbs misuse while safeguarding democratic freedoms reflects a growing institutional concern over the information ecosystem.
Yet, the intervention by Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary brought the conversation to its core. Laws alone, he argued, cannot resolve what is fundamentally a question of ethics. His assertion that self-regulation and responsible conduct are indispensable places the onus back on the media itself. In a time when journalism is being scrutinized not just by the public but also within its own ranks, the concern raised in the Assembly becomes a moment of introspection. The credibility of journalists, once taken for granted as the bedrock of public trust, now finds itself openly questioned even in the very institutions that rely on it.
There is little denying that social media, alongside print and electronic platforms, is here to stay, reshaping how news is produced, consumed, and judged. While the concerns of legislators are valid, the outcome of the debate, largely limited to studying legal frameworks elsewhere, highlights the complexity of the issue. Ultimately, credibility cannot be legislated into existence. It must be earned. In an era where audiences actively choose whom to trust, individuals and media organizations alike are being constantly evaluated for their intent, fairness, accuracy, authenticity, and ethical grounding. In the end, beyond laws and debates, it is self-regulation and credibility that will speak the loudest and endure the longest.
Surinder Chowdhary was also right in mentioning that this popularly known as ‘fourth pillar of democracy’, has historically played a vital role in the country’s freedom struggle and continues to hold the trust of the people but with advent of social media, new challenges have emerged that require both regulatory intervention and self-discipline. He also went on to say that a strong and responsible media is essential for strengthening Jammu and Kashmir and, in turn, the nation for which all stakeholders must play their role effectively and honestly.
Now the question arises: who’s going to bell the cat, identify right journalists from wrong ones, check credentials of individuals and establish which news is fake and what action is required to be taken against rumour mongers? The parliamentary standing committee on communications and information technology too on December 2, 2025 had urged the union government to clearly define the term “fake news” and introduce appropriate provisions within the existing media regulatory framework to curb misinformation while safeguarding freedom of speech.
This is what exactly J&K legislators sought on Friday as well. The parliamentary panel had also recommended exploring stricter penal measures, including the possibility of cancelling the accreditation of journalists or content creators found guilty of spreading fake news. In the recently concluded AI Summit, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had encouraged social media users and he’s also known for his love and promotion of content creators but the manner ‘fake news’ is being peddled, it needs to be reined in as soon as possible.
A few years ago, Reuters, in partnership with the Facebook Journalism Project, launched the “Reuters Digital Journalism Course,” a free online programme focused on digital newsgathering, verification, social media publishing, and journalist wellness. The initiative proved highly beneficial for journalists navigating the rapidly evolving digital landscape. At a time when the government is still studying best practices across jurisdictions to frame a law that prevents misuse of press freedom while safeguarding free speech, institutions such as the department of information, Press Information Bureau (PIB), Press Club of Jammu, Press Club of Srinagar, and universities offering journalism courses across the Union Territory should actively engage working yet desirous journalists in short-term certificate programmes.
Such courses would help journalists revisit essential fundamentals that are often confined to textbooks but remain crucial in today’s fast-changing media environment. Journalism in today’s world is the pursuit of truth across social media, print, and electronic platforms, where speed often challenges accuracy and credibility. The real essence of journalism now lies not in reporting first, but in verifying facts, fighting misinformation, and earning public trust in an age overwhelmed by fake news and information overload. In such a time, credibility has become the true currency of journalism, and responsibility its most important pillar.
We cannot afford to misuse the powers and privileges granted under the Constitution of India, nor can we spread falsehoods in the name of press freedom. Social media outreach by national leaders should not be misused as a licence to circulate unverified information, push partisan narratives, lower the standard of public discourse, promote undeserving voices, or indulge in sycophancy. Journalism must remain grounded in truth, fairness, and public interest because in the end, it is credibility and self-regulation that will define who is trusted and who is not.
Sometime back PIB had organised a “Varta” media workshop on the “AI Impact Summit” at the Press Club Jammu, focusing on building capacity in the age of artificial intelligence and countering fake news. Similarly, Press Club of Jammu had organised a training programme on fact-checking for journalists and journalism students, conducted by IIMC Jammu. The session focused on tools and techniques to verify text, images, videos, websites, locations, and social media content to combat misinformation and fake news. We need more such workshops to train newcomers and keeop them abreast with latest trends in journalism and AI.
One way to bring greater accountability and depth to parliamentary reporting is for journalists to study Practice and Procedure of Parliament, co-authored by M. N. Kaul and S. L. Shakdher. Often referred to as the “Bible” of Indian parliamentary proceedings, the book offers a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, including legislative processes, committee systems, and rules of procedure.
For journalists, there is much to learn beyond daily reporting. A deeper study of parliamentary procedures, legislative business, and institutional functioning can significantly sharpen reporting skills and help ensure that coverage of Parliament and legislative assemblies remains accurate, factual, and meaningful. In an era where misinformation spreads quickly, informed and well-read journalists are essential for strengthening democratic institutions and public trust in the media.
Freedom of the press is one of the most vital pillars of any democracy, guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India, which ensures the right to freedom of speech and expression. A free press acts as a watchdog, holds those in power accountable, and gives voice to the people. However, with the rise of social media and digital platforms, the spread of fake news and misinformation has become a serious concern, often blurring the line between journalism and propaganda.
In recent years, various governments across the world have been taking steps to bring in regulations to curb fake news and misinformation, particularly in the digital space. The challenge, however, lies in maintaining a careful balance ensuring that fake news is checked and accountability is fixed, while at the same time safeguarding the freedom of the press and preventing any form of unnecessary control over independent journalism. The real solution may lie not just in regulation, but also in self-regulation, ethical journalism, and credibility-driven reporting as also agreed and suggested by many legislators.
Concerns raised by Ranbir Singh Pathania over the unchecked spread of fake and unregulated news do hold significance, as misinformation today poses a serious threat to governance, cyber security, and democratic institutions. However, it must also be acknowledged that journalists themselves are among the most concerned stakeholders, as fake news is not only misleading the public but also eroding the credibility of journalism as a profession.
The demand for penalising journalists, therefore, may not be entirely in good taste, because those deliberately spreading falsehoods and indulging in extortion or propaganda can hardly be called ‘journalists’ in the true sense. That said, the concern about the absence of an effective mechanism to regulate online content is valid, as defamatory posts by ‘so called journalists’ on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram often cause irreversible damage before any corrective action can be taken. This is an area where coordination with social media companies and proactive action by cyber police becomes essential.
The suggestion regarding mandatory registration of social media platforms disseminating news, appointment of grievance redressal officers, and the creation of a UT-level Fact Checking Unit also needs serious discussion. While the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting already registers newspapers and media channels, social media-based news platforms remain largely unregulated. Concerns raised by legislators such as Bashir Ahmad Veeri about unethical practices by untrained individuals posing as journalists are valid and reflect a growing problem as in many cases untrained and those into unethical practices indulge in yellow journalism.
However, the demand by Iftikhar Ahmad to prescribe minimum qualifications for journalists may not be entirely feasible, as journalism has historically included many individuals with strong skills and integrity despite lacking formal qualifications. In such cases, the responsibility to improve skills and knowledge must largely remain with individuals rather than excessive regulation by the government. Sajjad Shaheen rightly termed the trend of unverified individuals posing as journalists as alarming, with some platforms allegedly being used for extortion and defamation.
Strict action against misleading and defamatory content is necessary, but this also requires victims to come forward and file complaints, as silence often allows yellow journalism and blackmail to flourish. Social media, in some cases, has unfortunately become a tool for propaganda, personal vendetta, and misinformation, shaping public perception before the truth has a chance to emerge. Yet, it is equally true that people today are increasingly capable of distinguishing between credible and non-credible sources of information.
The fight against fake news cannot be won by regulation alone, nor by the media alone. It requires a collective effort by the government, media institutions, social media platforms, and the public. Laws can punish the guilty, but only credibility can build trust. The future of journalism will not be decided by who speaks the loudest or publishes first, but by those who are most accurate, most fair, and most responsible. A strong, ethical, and credible media is essential not just for Jammu and Kashmir, but for the strength of the nation as a whole.
(The writer is senior journalist)
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