Media houses told to fall in line
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 27 2026: The State Home Department has issued advisories and guidelines to be followed by media houses including print, electronic, digital and social media platforms.

The advisories, "issued in the interest of maintaining public order and ensuring responsible dissemination of information" should be followed strictly by all media houses, editors, journalists, and publishers operating within the State, said the Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur.

The advisory for media houses issued by the Home Department has been reproduced below--

i) Due Diligence and Verification

All media houses shall exercise utmost due diligence in verifying the authenticity of any information, particularly announcements relating to bandhs, strikes, threats, or directives issued by unauthorized or unrecognized organizations.

No such information shall be published or broadcast without proper verification from official or credible sources.

(ii) Prohibition on Publication of Unauthorized Press Releases

Press releases, statements, or communications issued by banned, unlawful, or unrecognized organizations shall not be published, disseminated, or given publicity in any form.

Any such content, if reported in public interest, must be contextualized responsibly without amplifying or legitimizing such entities.

(iii) Avoidance of Sensationalism and Provocative Content

Media houses shall refrain from publishing sensational, provocative, or exaggerated headlines/con-tent that may incite fear, unrest, or communal disharmony.

Reporting must be balanced, factual, and non-inflammatory, particularly in sensitive matters affecting law and order.

(iv) Prevention of Misinformation and Public Panic

Unverified or speculative information likely to create panic among the general public shall not be disseminated.

Information relating to closures, threats, or disruptions must not be presented as confirmed facts without authentication.

(v) Prohibition on Glorification of Unlawful Activities

Any reporting that glorifies violence, unlawful acts, or anti-social elements, including interviews or statements that may project such entities in a favorable light, is strictly prohibited.

(vi) Ethical Standards and Professional Conduct

All media houses shall strictly adhere to the principles of ethical journalism, including accuracy, fairness, restraint, and responsibility.

Any misuse of media platforms for extortion, coercion, or dissemination of unlawful content shall be treated as gross professional misconduct and dealt with as per law.

(vii) Responsibility Towards Public Order and National Interest

Media shall act as a responsible stakeholder in safeguarding public order and shall avoid any reportage that may aggravate the prevailing law and order situation.

Reporting should contribute to peace, stability, and communal harmony in the State.

"All media organizations are directed to strictly comply with the above guidelines and the, norms prescribed by the Press Council of India.

Any violation shall invite appropriate legal action.

This order is issued with the approval of Competent Authority and shall come into immediate effect," said the Commissioner, Home.

Advisory for Electronic, Digital and Social Media Platforms

i) Due diligence and Accountability

All digital media platforms and intermediaries shall exercise due diligence as mandated under the IT Rules, 2021 while hosting, publishing, or transmitting any information.

Platforms shall ensure that false, misleading, or unverified information, particularly relating to law and order situations, is not disseminated.

(ii) Prohibition on Hosting Unlawful and Unauthorized Content

Content originating from banned, unlawful, or unauthorized organizations, including calls for bandhs, threats, or disruptive activities, shall not be hosted, published, or amplified.

Intermediaries must take prompt action for removal or disabling access to such content upon becoming aware of it.

(iii) Prevention of Misinformation and Fake News

Digital publishers and intermediaries shall ensure that misinformation, deepfakes, impersonation, or manipulated content are not circulated on their platforms.

Platforms shall implement mechanisms to identify and label synthetic or altered content, in line with evolving regulatory requirements.

(iv) Code of Ethics for Digital News Publishers

All publishers of news and current affairs content shall adhere to the Code of Ethics prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021, ensuring: Accuracy and fairness in reporting, Nonpublication of defamatory or deliberately false content, Respect for sovereignty, integrity, and public order.

(v) Avoidance of Provocative and Sensational Content

Electronic and digital media shall refrain from publishing or broadcasting sensational, inflammatory, provocative content that may incite violence or disturb communal harmony.

Headlines, thumbnails, and captions shall be responsible and non-misleading.

(vi) Grievance Redressal Mechanism

All digital platforms shall establish and maintain a Grievance Redressal Mechanism, including appointment of a Grievance Officer, to address complaints within prescribed timelines.

Compliance with the three-tier grievance redressal framework under the IT Rules, 2021 shall be ensured.

(vii) Responsibility Towards Public Order and National Security

Platforms shall ensure that content likely to threaten public order, national security, or integrity of the State is not disseminated.

Cooperation with law enforcement agencies shall be ensured for investigation and removal of unlawful content.

(viii) Legal Consequences for Non-Compliance

Any violation of the provisions of the IT Rules, 2021, or failure to exercise due diligence, shall attract appropriate action under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and other applicable laws.

Intermediaries may lose statutory protections if due diligence obligations are not complied with.

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