J&K Congress Issues Guidelines for Media Interactions

The Jammu and Kashmir Congress Committee on Tuesday issued strict guidelines for all its leaders and workers to interact with the media and present the party's official side, stating that only official spokespersons and prominent leaders can make statements on policy matters, no one else. Disciplinary action will be taken against any other leader-activist or office bearer if they do so. The orders were issued after a meeting with all district Congress presidents of the Kashmir division, chaired by Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra. Only Pradesh Committee presidents, Congress Legislative Party leaders, chief whips, headquarters in-charge and authorised office bearers will be able to interact with the media on state-level political, policy and organisational issues. District presidents and district spokespersons will be able to make statements only on local issues related to their district. In addition, interviews, feedback, statements and other communication requests from media institutions and journalists will be mandatorily routed through the Srinagar-based PCC headquarters. No office bearer will give prior permission on sensitive political issues and no one will be allowed to present their official stand on the party's organisational guidelines.