Govt to roll out New Media Policy 2026

The New Media Policy, 2026, aims to extend regulatory oversight beyond print media to include online news platforms. This move follows discussions in the J&K legislature where concerns were raised about the dissemination of misleading information through unregistered digital and social media channels. The policy seeks to ensure that online news entities are accountable for the content they publish.

The proposed mechanism involves district administrations maintaining lists of unregistered social media news handles. Cases of disseminating false or fabricated information will be pursued under existing laws, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the recently enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. These new laws reportedly contain specific provisions addressing misinformation and provocative content on social media.

Complementing this policy, the J&K Home Department has established the J&K Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (JK4C). This independent organization, under the Director General of Police, will coordinate efforts to prevent, detect, and investigate cybercrimes. The establishment of JK4C suggests a broader governmental effort to enhance digital security and content regulation in the region.