Shopian Information Office issues checklist for media authentication

Shopian, Nov 05: The District Information Office (DIO) Shopian has issued a detailed checklist of documents to be furnished by media persons for verification and authentication, as part of an ongoing drive to identify genuine working journalists in the district.

According to the notification, the journalists are required to submit Aadhaar, PAN, and official ID cards, an appointment or affiliation letter from their media organization, and contact details of their parent organization, including full address, email, and WhatsApp number.

Additionally, journalists have been asked to furnish a salary statement for the last six months, academic qualification certificates, and the name of the digital news portal or channel they represent.

For those working in digital media, links to their Facebook, YouTube, X (Twitter), and Instagram pages have also been requested for official verification.

Officials told the news agency, Kashmir News Trust, that the step follows a broader directive from the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) aimed at curbing the misuse of media identity cards and ensuring that only authorized and actively working journalists are recognized for official purposes.

The move has generated discussion within journalist circles, with some terming it a necessary measure to ensure professional integrity, while others express concern that excessive documentation could discourage freelancers and small independent media outlets.

Authorities, however, maintain that the verification is a “routine process” intended to strengthen media credibility and prevent impersonation or misuse of press credentials in the district. [KNT]