Srinagar, Feb 12 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday informed that 28 rebuttals regarding fake news and misinformation have been issued from April 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026.
Replying to a written question raised by MLA Sh. R.S. Pathania regarding tackling fake news and misinformation, as per news agency JKNS, the government through Information Department stated that a dedicated Cell has been established in the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR) to monitor fake or misleading news on a real-time basis.
The department said that any identified fake or misleading content is appropriately rebutted through press releases and posts on the official social media handles of the DIPR.
It further clarified that regulation of websites, digital platforms, including online news channels and Fact Check Units (FCUs), does not fall 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 (20) rebuttals were issued through press releases and eight through social media handles of the DIPR, J&K,” the reply stated.
Regarding enforcement and monitoring mechanisms, the government informed that a dedicated Media Monitoring Cell has been set up in the DIPR to proactively identify and curb fake or misleading news.
It said that all departments have designated Nodal Officers to monitor department-specific fake news and publish rebuttals accordingly.
The designated officers have been provided login IDs to upload details of fake news on the portal created for the purpose (https://dipr.jk.gov.in), while DIPR also regularly receives rebuttals from multiple departments for further issuance.
On the issue of fines imposed on organizations or individuals found spreading fake news during the past three years, the government clarified that imposition of fines on any organization or corporate entity for spreading fake news/misinformation does not come under the mandate of the Information Department.
The House was also informed that the Information Department does not recognize or authorize any private Fact Checking Unit (FCU).
It added that as of now, the department does not verify, grade or audit private FCUs before granting any authorization.
However, in view of the proliferation of new and social media platforms, suitable provisions have been proposed in the Draft New Media Policy-2026 to provide a regulatory framework for new and social media along with print media.
The draft policy is presently at the inter-departmental consultation stage for finalization.
On cyber security measures, the government informed that as per inputs from the Information Technology Department, comprehensive and multi-layered steps have been undertaken to strengthen cyber security infrastructure of government departments and institutions.
Mandatory security audits have been conducted for websites and web applications hosted on the State Data Centre (SDC) and NIC Mini Data Centre, while redundant websites have been decommissioned or DNS de-mapped.
At the Union Territory level, cyber security governance has been institutionalized through monthly review meetings chaired by the Chief Secretary, constitution of an Information Security Steering Committee under the Secretary, IT Department, and nomination of Internal Security Officers and Technical Experts across departments, organizations and districts.
The government further said that Cyber Crisis Management Plans (CCMPs) have been prepared by all departments.
Continuous capacity-building and awareness initiatives are also being carried out across the UT, including regular trainings, cyber drills, observance of Cyber Jagrookta Diwas, and mandatory cyber security courses on the iGOT platform.
Tools such as the e-Security Assessment and Management (eSAM) portal have also been launched to facilitate inventory management and monitoring, the reply added. (JKNS)
