Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma calls for strict action against misuse of social media, urges promotion of responsible journalism
A significant discussion on the role of media and the growing influence of social media was held in the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly today. During the session, Cabinet Minister Satish Sharma expressed serious concerns over the misuse of social media and emphasized the need for strict regulatory measures.
The minister stated that information technology has reached its peak in the present era, but there is still no effective mechanism to regulate its misuse. Taking a critical tone, he remarked that “a person selling vegetables in the evening claims to be a senior journalist by morning,” raising questions about the credibility of media in the digital age.
He further claimed that over the past 15–16 months, he has been continuously targeted on social media and portrayed as the “most hated politician” in a democracy. According to him, a well-organized “WhatsApp industry” is actively spreading misinformation.
Satish Sharma also alleged that some government employees engage in biased commentary on social media, which is against service rules. He called for strict action and clear guidelines to address such conduct.
Referring to allegations made against him under the SC/ST Act, the minister said that certain former officials are raising new issues daily for political gain, which in turn damages the image of the government.
Speaking on the role of the press, he highlighted that responsible and ethical journalism has historically played a crucial role in stabilizing the nation during challenging times. He stressed the need to promote “credible and responsible media” to ensure accurate and balanced information reaches the public.
In conclusion, the minister urged the government and the Assembly to take firm and exemplary steps to curb the misuse of social media, fake news, and misleading propaganda.
