To Stop WhatsApp Fake News, Journalist Group Admins In UP's Lalitpur Asked To Submit Their Details

Lalitpur, September 1: The Lalitpur district administration has asked journalists who are administrators of WhatsApp groups to provide their details. The joint order signed by District Magistrate Manvendra Singh and Superintendent of Police OP Singh on August has asked all local journalists to submit details of their WhatsApp groups to the information department office.

According to a report published in The Times of India, journalists were asked to fill out the one-page registration form along with their photograph and aadhaar card. Group administrators were also directed to submit these documents of group members as well. The details were needed to be submitted before August 31, 2018. As per the order, those who fail to comply would face legal action under the IT Act.

The group member will be responsible for ensuring that no religious or political messages that could disturb communal harmony are circulated. The police are also directed to check criminal records of the group admin. According to the DM, the primary aim of this move is to keep a check on fake journalists.

The Indian government had also sent notices to WhatsApp seeking more effective ways to keep a check on fake messages. The centre has asked the company to come up with more effective solutions that bring more accountability and facilitates law enforcement in addition to labelling forwards and identifying fake news.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 01, 2018 09:46 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).