Shillong, Sept 17: The move of the state government to curb social media has come under criticism after a goverment directive.
The notice issued by the Director of Information & Public Relations on September 16 said that those who upload news on social media platforms should register with the directorate of information & public relations failing which action will be taken against them in accordance with Para 5.10(B) of the Meghalaya Public Communication Policy 2024, notified vide No. IPR.11/2024/18 dated 19th July 2024.
TUR leader Angela Rangad has appealed to the media persons, content creators and citizens to reject the notification by the Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations issued under the Meghalaya Communications Policy 2024 ordering everyone who intends to disseminate anything that the government may deem to be news to register with DIPR. “Apart from the blatant illegality of this order, because policy is not a notified law but merely a set of guidelines, this order by the Government of Meghalaya goes against the Constitutional Guarantees of Freedom of Expression and Press Freedom”, Rangad said.
By giving government the illegal and wide ranging power to decide what information disseminated is against the interest of the state, public order, decency, morality or involves defamation of any individual or institution or that is likely to incite the commission of any offense, this policy is arbitrary and fringes on our freedom. This wide ranging power, for instance, can allow Meghalaya government to take action against any platform that publishes this appeal because they can interpret this appeal as an incitement of journalists to defy this notification by the government. It is worth reminding that even the Union government was forced to keep a similar broadcast bill in abeyance because it would have had chilling effects on press freedom and freedom of expression.
“It is shocking that the government does not know the difference between law and policy or even that the question of press comes under the concurrent list of the Indian constitution and is what is called an occupied field of legislation”, she said.
Even a common citizen who chooses to criticise the corruption of the government on social media can also be convicted as per this notification by the Meghalaya government, Rangad pointed out adding that they are also shocked that various media bodies did not challenge the policy at the stage of its formulation. Meghalaya Communication Policy 2024 is not only a danger to press freedom and freedom of speech but also goes against laws such as the Right to Information Act 2005, she said.
TUR urged the media fraternity and citizens to stand up to this authoritarian notification and policy.
Earlier, the notification of the government said in accordance with Para 5.10(B) of the Meghalaya Public Communication Policy 2024, notified vide No. IPR.11/2024/18 dated 19th July 2024, it is hereby informed that all individuals and organizations not accredited or empaneled with the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), who are involved in disseminating news on social media platforms within the state of Meghalaya, are required to register with the DIPR by submitting the required details as per the prescribed format, enclosed with this notification. Submissions can be made either physically at the DIPR office or via email to diprmeg@gmail.com.
“Any individual or organization not accredited or empaneled with DIPR, who disseminates news on social media platforms within the state of Meghalaya without completing this registration, will be deemed in violation of the Meghalaya Public Communication Policy 2024, and action in accordance with law will be pursued.This notification aims to ensure that no individual posts content that is against the interests of the state, public order, decency, morality, or involves defamation of any institution or individual, or that is likely to incite the commission of any offense”, the order said.
