Srinagar- In recent years, social media platforms have witnessed an influx of self-styled journalists, many of whom operate pages that were initially dedicated to cultural content or personal blogs. However, these pages have now rebranded themselves as news outlets, amassing millions of followers and challenging the credibility of traditional journalism.
Among such pages are ‘Thank U for Your Fake Luv’ and ‘Kaeshir Che Balay’ on Facebook, both of which have renamed themselves and ventured into the news space. This phenomenon has led to backlash from professional journalists and media consumers alike, who have called out these platforms for diluting the sanctity of the profession and spreading misleading content under the guise of news.
The rapid rise of untrained voices in the Kashmiri journalism landscape has sparked concerns among seasoned professionals in the field.
Speaking to Kashmir Observer, Peerzada Ashiq, Senior Assistant Editor at The Hindu, highlights the ethical crisis that stems from the lack of accountability in social media journalism.
“There is poor implementation of provisions that already exist, and it creates an ethical crisis. Those with vested interests manipulate social media to gain access to power without being accountable to anyone,” he explains.
The government introduced an online media policy to regulate digital media outlets, requiring a structured team including reporters and editors. However, Peerzada points out that, in reality, most social media pages are run by just a couple of individuals who often repurpose content from established sources without credit.
“Earlier, newspapers would define what should be published, but now all that has changed. Ethical codes are crucial. For instance, when interviewing someone, their consent is required. If it involves a juvenile, their identity must be concealed. Professional journalists adhere to these guidelines, but those on social media do not because they have never been trained in journalism ethics,” he adds.
He also warns about the dangers of unfiltered content circulating on social media, leading to the dehumanization and desensitization of society. The only way to counter the influence of these pages, he believes, is to produce high-quality journalism that outperforms them.
“You cannot stop cringe content, but you can protect the integrity of news. In Kashmir, we lack good content, and we must focus on outrunning them in terms of quality journalism.”
Legal Loopholes and Lack of Regulation
Senior journalist Riyaz Masroor emphasizes that the legal framework governing journalism in India is too lenient, allowing virtually anyone to claim the title of a journalist.
“Under current laws, anyone with a matriculation certificate can register a newspaper with the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI). No qualifications are required. As a professional journalist, I cannot legally question someone’s right to report,” he notes.
Masroor also highlights how social media platforms allow users to change their page names gradually, which has enabled many Facebook pages in Kashmir to transition from entertainment or cultural content to so-called news portals.
“We had the Cable TV Act in Jammu and Kashmir, which regulated local TV channels. Right now, we are living in a legal vacuum. There is no law specifying whether someone is authorized to disseminate news. In medicine, a person cannot practice without a degree, but in journalism, anyone can hold a mic and claim to be a journalist.”
The rise of social media journalism has also resulted in a shift in how news is consumed. Previously, media outlets had strict editorial policies enforced by experienced editors, but today, sensationalism drives content creation. Masroor believes that social media reporters prioritize likes, shares, and views over authenticity, compromising the credibility of journalism.
“Old-school journalism maintained gatekeeping to ensure accuracy. Now, it has been reduced to clickbait. If I was a freelance reporter, my editor would verify my sources multiple times. But in the case of social media, there is no accountability. We should recognize these people as content creators rather than journalists. We cannot stop them, as they have a right to use these platforms, but there should be laws distinguishing between content creation and news reporting.”
He also argues that news consumers bear some responsibility for this trend.
“Our readers and viewers created icons out of nobodies, and that is the problem. However, platforms like Al Jazeera still exist because they continue to produce credible content. The only way to counter the rise of untrained voices is for professionals to create superior journalism.”
The Future of Journalism: Professionalism vs. Popularity
Yousuf Jameel, a veteran journalist with over forty years of experience, believes that professionalism will ultimately prevail over untrained voices.
“At the end of the day, quality matters. Social media journalists cannot compete with trained professionals. We have seen similar phases in the past where non-professionals entered the field but eventually disappeared because they couldn’t sustain themselves in a professional environment,” he asserts.
Jameel also expresses concern about how the sanctity of journalism has been compromised by these self-proclaimed reporters.
“In these times, I don’t introduce myself as a journalist unless it is necessary. The profession has lost its sanctity due to the influx of untrained voices.”
However, he remains hopeful that true journalism will withstand these challenges.
“Even for professional journalists, it is crucial to maintain ethical standards, as this will distinguish them from so-called Facebook journalists.”
Observers warn that the rise of untrained voices in Kashmiri journalism is a cause for concern, fearing that the lack of ethical standards and accountability is eroding the industry’s credibility.
While social media provides a powerful platform for information dissemination, it has also enabled misinformation, sensationalism, and unethical reporting practices.
Veteran journalists argue that the only way to counter this trend is to produce high-quality, credible journalism that stands apart from the noise. They emphasize the need for stronger legal frameworks to distinguish between content creators and professional journalists while urging news consumers to be more discerning in their choices.
Ultimately, while the digital age has made news more accessible than ever, it is up to both media professionals and the public to ensure that journalism remains a pillar of truth and accountability rather than a race for likes and shares.
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