The Uttar Pradesh government has directed district administration officials that they should verify “negative news” that tarnishes the image of the state or district administration and seek clarification from the newspaper or media outlet concerned if it is found that the published report is based on “distorted or inaccurate facts”. In a letter dated August 16, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s Principal Secretary Sanjay Prasad instructed all 18 Divisional Commissioners and 75 district magistrates and other department heads, “If it is found that any newspaper/media has tried to tarnish the image of the state government or the district administration by publishing negative news items based on distorted or inaccurate facts, the district magistrate concerned will seek clarification from the manager (prabandhak) of the media group Such a letter should be marked to the Department of Information.” The letter states, “The Department of Information collects information about negative news published in daily newspapers and other media outlets. A quick fact check of these negative news items is necessary because they tarnish the image of the government… Upon receiving information from district officials about such new items, these will be registered on the IGRS (Integrated Grievance Redressal System of the state government) and will be forwarded to concerned divisional commissioners, district magistrates, and heads of the departments for a probe. Interim reports will not be accepted.” According to the letter, district magistrates have to upload weekly reports on the IGRS portal on such published reports and the details of rejoinders. The Director of the Department of Information and Public Relations has to send weekly reports on such news articles to the Principal Secretary of Information and Public Relations. Sanjay Prasad did not respond to text messages sent by The Indian Express, but a senior official in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said “fact-checking” was the objective. “The rationale of this circular is that several news items are being published and the government faces criticism as such news items are further followed up and spread by others and tarnish the image of the government. Now, such news items will be verified by the concerned district magistrates. It is just about fact-checking,” said the official. Director of Information and Public Relations Shishir said, “It is not that we are going to take any action against the newspapers. It is to verify the facts. We will do it when a news item is published on any issue.” — With ENS Lucknow inputs
