Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered an FIR against The Hindu reporter Peerzada Ashiq for reporting a story the police claims was “factually incorrect.”
A police spokesperson said that an FIR (81/2020) was registered regarding a “fake news item” being published in the The Hindu “regarding an encounter at Shopian and subsequent developments.”
“The details reflected in the news item were found factually incorrect and the said news could cause fear or alarm in the minds of public. The said news was published without seeking confirmation from the District authorities,” the spokesperson said.
“In this regard Case FIR No. 81/2020 was registered in Police Station Anantnag and the individual was called at the station for questioning,” the spokesperson added.
Earlier in the day, the police had also registered an FIR against Masrat Zahra, a female photojournalist for “uploading anti-national” posts on social media.
“For the purpose of investigation Facebook user Masrat Zehra was summoned at PS Sadder and not to Air Cargo Complex. The police is under duty and lawfully empowered under Cr.PC to call for questioning. The investigation in both the cases is in progress,” the spokesperson said.
“IGP Kashmir appeals the members of journalist/ media fraternity not to publish fake/ fabricated news/ stories, which has bearing on national security and which has the potential of causing social instability and can lead to law and order problem. He further appealed that any such information be clarified / confirmed before publication,” the spokesperson added.
