2 hrs ago
J&K Assembly Debates Media Regulation Amid Salary Bill Clash
Jammu and Kashmir lawmakers argued about how news is shared on social media.
Some said untrained online newsmakers spread false information and damage people’s reputations.
Minister Sakina Itoo said the government is preparing rules for both regular journalists and digital creators.
She said the rules should be ready within four months.
Waheed Ur Rehman Para warned that too many restrictions could silence people.
Itoo also said politicians have helped create the online problem.
The Assembly then argued about Bills that would have increased lawmakers’ and ministers’ salaries.
The Bills were withdrawn after disagreements between the government and the BJP.
The session ended after several days of shouting, walkouts, and political clashes.
Jammu and Kashmir lawmakers debated regulating self-styled social-media journalists and combating alleged fake news.
Minister Sakina Itoo said a comprehensive media policy covering traditional journalists and digital creators would be drafted within four months.
PDP legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para warned that restrictions could undermine free expression and democratic freedoms.
The Assembly also erupted over the withdrawal of proposed salary-hike Bills for legislators and ministers.
Ruling National Conference and BJP members traded accusations during a stormy session marked by disruptions, walkouts, and a no-confidence motion against the Speaker.
- Who
- Jammu and Kashmir lawmakers, including Minister Sakina Itoo, PDP legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and National Conference and BJP members.
- What
- The Assembly debated a new media policy and social-media regulation while also clashing over withdrawn salary-hike Bills for legislators and ministers.
- Where
- The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in Srinagar.
- When
- The debate took place on Wednesday, during the final day of the Assembly’s autumn session; the salary Bills had been withdrawn on Tuesday.
- Why
- Lawmakers cited alleged misinformation, unregulated online publishing, and political smear campaigns, while the salary-Bill dispute centered on opposition to higher pay amid concerns about struggling workers.
Supporters of Media Regulation
Free-Expression Advocates
Rules for online news
Supporters of Media Regulation
Several lawmakers said unregulated social-media newsmakers spread misinformation, enable smear campaigns, and weaken public trust and democratic institutions.
Free-Expression Advocates
Waheed Ur Rehman Para said curbing social media could amount to gagging democratic expression and urged restraint.
Responsibility for online disorder
Supporters of Media Regulation
Lawmakers seeking intervention said the absence of licensing norms, ethical codes, and institutional oversight allows fake news to spread widely.
Free-Expression Advocates
Sakina Itoo acknowledged that politicians also contribute to the problem, including by creating their own social-media content operations.
Salary-hike Bills
Supporters of Media Regulation
Omar Abdullah said the Bills were withdrawn after opposition members objected in the House, and accused the BJP of seeking political advantage.
Free-Expression Advocates
BJP legislator Sham Lal Sharma argued that salary increases were morally indefensible while daily wagers, Anganwadi workers, and casual employees lacked regularisation and basic benefits.
Key facts
- Proposed policy
- A comprehensive media policy is being drafted for traditional journalists and digital content creators.
- Expected timeline
- Minister Sakina Itoo said guidelines would be finalised within four months.
- Government department
- A committee is working with the Department of Information and Public Relations.
- Assembly proposal
- Two Bills seeking higher salaries and allowances for legislators and ministers were withdrawn.
- Political dispute
- National Conference and BJP legislators clashed over the salary Bills and their handling.
- Session tensions
- The autumn session included walkouts, disruptions, slogan-shouting, and a BJP no-confidence motion against the Speaker.
- Additional suggestion
- Itoo urged Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to consider restricting mobile-phone use inside the Assembly.
Quotes
Waheed Ur Rehman Para
PDP legislator who cautioned against excessive restrictions on social media
“We cannot blame the media alone for the chaos online. We have contributed to this mess. Some of us have even set up our own social‑media reel makers”
deccanchronicle.com
“In an age built on open platforms and free expression, muzzling these spaces would be nothing less than gagging the very spirit of democracy”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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