Manipur Govt Issues Media Advisory, Warns Against Unverified Content
Imphal: The government of Manipur has issued a strict advisory to electronic, digital, and social media platforms, urging responsible reporting and warning of legal action against the spread of unverified or inflammatory content.
Why the Advisory Was Issued
The Home Department raised concerns over the increasing circulation of:
- Unverified and misleading information
- Provocative or inflammatory posts
- Content allegedly linked to banned or unauthorised groups
Officials cautioned that such material can create panic, fuel tensions, and disturb public order, especially given the sensitive situation in the state.
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Key Guidelines for Media and Platforms
Citing the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, the advisory directs platforms to:
- Exercise due diligence before publishing or sharing content
- Prevent the spread of:
- Fake news
- Deepfakes
- Manipulated or misleading media
- Avoid hosting or amplifying:
- Calls for bandhs or disruptions
- Threats or unlawful activities
Media outlets have also been asked to:
- Maintain accuracy, fairness, and neutrality
- Avoid sensational headlines or misleading captions
- Respect sovereignty, public order, and communal harmony
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Compliance Requirements
The government has further mandated that digital platforms:
- Set up grievance redressal mechanisms
- Cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies
- Act promptly on flagged or unlawful content
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Warning of Legal Action
Authorities warned that failure to comply could lead to action under the Information Technology Act 2000, including:
- Legal proceedings
- Loss of safe harbour protections for intermediaries
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Context
The advisory comes amid ongoing unrest and heightened tensions in Manipur, where misinformation and viral content on social media have the potential to quickly escalate situations on the ground.
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Bottom Line
The government is aiming to ensure that information shared across platforms is verified, responsible, and non-inflammatory, while holding violators accountable to maintain peace and stability in the state.
