The Jammu and Kashmir administration implemented a new Media Policy, valid for the next five years. It was introduced to "carry the message of welfare, development and progress to the people in an effective manner".

The policy states that the administration will examine content to identify news items that can be categorised "fake", "plagiarism", "unethical", and "anti-national activities". The policy says that "any individual or group" engaging in the same will be "proceeded against under law".

It adds that the union territory's Department of Information and Public Relations will not release advertisements to newspapers, publications and journals that "incite or tend to incite communal passions, preach violence, violate broad norms of public decency, or carry out any acts or propagate any information prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India".

A "robust background check" will also be done for every journalist before finalising their accreditation. The policy explains: "J&K has significant law and order and security considerations. It has been fighting a proxy war supported and abetted from across the border. In such a situation, it is extremely important that the efforts of anti-social and anti-national elements to disturb the peace are thwarted."

Update: A previous version of this story referred to the "government" of J&K. This has been changed to "administration".

***

The media needs to be fair and free. Remember, when the advertiser pays, the advertiser is served. But when the public pays, the public is served. Support independent media and subscribe to Newslaundry.