Says, No Recognition to Private FCUs, Cyber Security Oversight Institutionalised
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Feb 12 :
The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday clarified that regulation of websites, digital platforms and online news channels does not fall within the mandate of the Information Department, even as it disclosed that 28 rebuttals against fake news and misinformation have been issued since April 2025.
Replying to a written question by MLA Sh. R.S. Pathania, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, the government informed the House that the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) has established a dedicated Media Monitoring Cell to track fake or misleading news on a real-time basis.
The department said that whenever fake or misleading content is detected, rebuttals or fact-check clarifications are issued through official press releases and the social media handles of the DIPR.
However, it categorically stated that regulation of websites, digital platforms, including online news channels and Fact Check Units (FCUs), is not under the purview of the Information Department.
“As many as 28 rebuttals regarding fake news/misinformation have been issued by the DIPR from 1st April 2025 to 31st January 2026. Twenty were issued through press releases and eight through official social media handles,” the reply said.
The government further informed that all departments have designated Nodal Officers to monitor department-specific fake news and upload details on a dedicated portal for coordinated response.
It also clarified that the imposition of fines on organizations or individuals found spreading fake news does not come under the mandate of the Information Department.
The House was told that the department neither recognizes nor authorizes any private Fact Checking Unit and does not verify or grade private FCUs before granting any authorization.
In view of the growing influence of new and social media platforms, the government said that suitable provisions have been proposed in the Draft New Media Policy-2026 to create a regulatory framework covering new and social media along with print media.
The draft policy is currently under inter-departmental consultation for finalization.
On cyber security preparedness, the government stated that comprehensive and multi-layered measures have been undertaken based on inputs from the Information Technology Department.
Mandatory security audits have been conducted for websites and web applications hosted on the State Data Centre and NIC Mini Data Centre, while redundant websites have been decommissioned or DNS de-mapped.
Cyber security governance has been institutionalised through monthly review meetings chaired by the Chief Secretary, formation of an Information Security Steering Committee under the Secretary, IT Department, and nomination of Internal Security Officers and Technical Experts across departments and districts.
The government further informed that Cyber Crisis Management Plans have been prepared by all departments and regular capacity-building initiatives, cyber drills, awareness programmes and mandatory courses on the iGOT platform are being conducted across the Union Territory.
The e-Security Assessment and Management (eSAM) portal has also been launched to strengthen monitoring and inventory management of cyber assets, the reply added. (KNC)