Decode Politics: 5 yrs after an ‘Orwellian’ media policy, J&K govt promises a new one, without details 

Responding to Para’s cut motion, the Omar Abdullah government said the validity of the Media Policy 2020 is ending this year and that it was in the process of formulating a new policy to “encompass emerging platforms including social media platforms, new web portals and websites”. The government also said the accreditation of  journalists has been done in a “transparent manner” and “strictly in light of the accreditation guidelines”.

The government was, however, silent on the impact of the Media Policy 2020 on media freedom, though the NC had strongly criticised the policy in the past.

What was Media Policy 2020?

In June 2020, the J&K government, led by then Lt Governor G C Murmu, announced a new media policy, which gave the administration the powers to decide “fake”, “unethical” or “anti-national” news, and to take legal action against the journalist or media organisation concerned, including stopping government advertisements and sharing information with security agencies.

As per this policy, the government would monitor content published in newspapers and other media channels and decide what was “fake news and anti-social or anti-national reporting”.

Under the policy, a background check of newspaper publishers, editors and key staff was also made mandatory before empanelling them for government advertisements, apart from security clearance before a journalist was given accreditation.

Why did 2020 policy set off a row?

The policy was castigated by political parties as well as media bodies, which called it a bid to curb free speech and make journalists toe the government line on various issues.

It was termed “Orwellian” and “prior censorship” by Reporters without Borders (RSF), an international organisation dedicated to press freedom, which called for its immediate rollback.

The parties in the Valley, including the NC, described the Media Policy 2020 as a “remnant of colonial-era censorship” and an “assault on freedom of speech”, seeking its rollback.

“The Media Policy 2020 obliquely stifles the media’s right to ask tough questions and highlight lacunae in the working of administration. Having the government decide ‘fake, unethical and anti-national’ reporting will jeopardise the free working of the press,” the NC then said, adding that “Given the fact that the press fraternity in J&K is already working in harsh conditions, the new policy will choke the constrained space for free press.”

The Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP called the policy “a step towards absolute censorship” in J&K. “Media is as vital a part of democracy as any other institution. This ‘character certificate’ business for journalists’ fraternity is another instrument to stifle the voice of J&K,” the PDP alleged.

The Sajad Lone-led People’s Conference said the media policy marked a “new low” that will “herald the darkest era of curbing press freedom”.

What is the New Media Policy?

The NC government just told the House on Tuesday that since the validity of the five-year Media Policy 2020 is ending in 2025, the Department of Information and Public Relations is engaged in framing a new media policy which, it added, would encompass social media platforms and web portals too.

“The formulation of the New Media Policy aims to align with the evolving media landscape and adhere to the standards set by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), Government of India,” the Omar government said in its reply to Para’s question, steering clear of issues like free speech and press freedom.