Shillong, Sept 18: Social organization Thma U Rangli Juki (TUR) on Tuesday termed Meghalaya Communication Policy 2024 as “arbitrary” as it infringes on freedom of expression and press freedom.

A recent notification (dated September 16, 2024) issued by the Director of Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) ruled that anyone who intends to disseminate news has to register with the DIPR, failing which the person would be held in violation of Meghalaya Communication Policy 2024. “Any individual or organization not accredited or empaneled with DIPR, who disseminates news on social media platforms within the state of Meghalaya without completing this registration, will be deemed in violation of the Meghalaya Public Communication Policy 2024, and action in accordance with law will be pursued. This notification aims to ensure that no individual posts content that is against the interests of the state, public order, decency, morality, or involves defamation of any institution or individual, or that is likely to incite the commission of any offense,” it read.

TUR said that this order is “blatantly illegal” because this order by the State government “goes against the Constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and press freedom”.

The organization said that by giving this order the government would have wide ranging power to decide what information can be construed as news and what is against the interest of the state, public order, decency, morality or involves defamation.

“This policy is arbitrary and infringes on our freedoms” TUR said in a press statement. The organization claimed that Meghalaya government can take action against any platform that publishes anything which may be unfavourable towards the government.

“Even a common citizen who chooses to criticize, say the corruption of the government, on social media can also be convicted as per this notification by the Meghalaya Government,” TUR noted.

TUR added that even the Union Government was forced to keep a similar broadcast bill in abeyance because it would have had chilling effects on press freedom and freedom of expression.

“It is shocking that the Government doesn’t know the difference between law and policy or even that the questions of the press come under the concurrent list of the Indian Constitution,” the organization said while appealing to the press fraternity to reject the policy.

Read: Assam: Court seeks answer from govt on custodial death of Dhing rape accused

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