J&K to counter misinformation campaign launched by TV channels

Srinagar, Jul 15 : Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to counter misinformation campaign launched by some television channels about the situation in the state. The government also proposed to organise a media summit in September this year in Srinagar. Reviewing the function of Kashmir Bureau of Information (KBI) at New Delhi, Minister of Information, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, has said that there is an urgent need to counteract the negative discourse unleashed by some national news channels regarding Jammu and Kashmir. He urged the officers of KBI , New Delhi to redouble their efforts for better coordination with media in the national capital, an official spokesman said here today. He said Chowdhary Ali made these remarks while chairing a review meeting of KBI in the national capital yesterday. The meeting was also attended by M H Malik, Secretary to Government, Information Department, Yasha Mudgal, Additional Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, Muneer-ul-Islam, Director Information, Veedushi Kapoor, Deputy Director Information, KBI, New Delhi among others. The minister said the KBI must redouble its efforts for better coordination with the national media and opinion makers like columnists, writers and TV panelists. He asked the Deputy Director, KBI, New Delhi to come up with a detailed action plan in this regard at the earliest. “There is an urgent need of strengthening of KBI, New Delhi in terms of accommodation, human resources and infrastructure. As an immediate measure, KBI shall be provided with 2 Reporters (at a monthly remuneration of Rs 40,000 each) and two cameraman,” he said. The Minister said the Information Department must showcase J&K by organising festivals in coordination with Tourism Department, the venue and date for which shall be decided later. “The festival, besides highlighting the developmental scenario of the state, shall show-case the culture, cuisine, nature, art & craft of three regions of J&K,” he said. Choudhary Zulfkar said the Department must display hoardings prominently at J&K House for which the Department of Information and Public Relations will be providing necessary material. “In the meantime office of PRC New Delhi will secure the necessary NoC from NDMC and other regulatory authorities in this regard,” he said. “Besides, the Information Department and Tourism Department will provide 100 mounted/framed photographs for display in the premises of Kashmir Houses at 5- Prithvi Raj Road and Chanakya Puri,” he added. The Minister said the KBI must keep a close liaison with PRO/Personal Section/IOs of all concerned Ministers to ensure that the official visits of Ministers to the national capital are well-covered in print and electronic media. He said the KBI must coordinate with editors of prominent news papers and TV channel/ heads besides reputed and well-known columnists for the proposed Media Summit in the month of September this year in Srinagar.