JHANSI: The Lalitpur district administration in UP has made it compulsory for the administrators of WhatsApp groups run by journalists to register with the information department. The order also contains an advisory for local news channels, web portals and publications. Those who fail to comply would face action under the IT Act, it said.

A joint order signed by district magistrate Manvendra Singh and superintendent of police OP Singh said the administrators of all media WhatsApp groups should submit a registration form to the information department office. The one-page registration form requires the name, address (with proof) and Aadhaar of the administrators as well as the number of members of the group as on August 31, 2018 along with a photograph of the group admin and his/her WhatsApp number.

No member can be added to a group without permission of the group admin, who will also be responsible for ensuring that no religious or political messages that could disturb communal harmony are circulated. The letter instructs local police stations to check whether the group admin has a criminal record.

While some journalists say the move will crack down on fake journalists, others say it impinges on freedom of speech and expression. Manvendra Singh said: “Our move has been appreciated by everyone, including the local media. There is a lobby of fake journalists who are trying to take advantage of such groups to harass people and extort money. Our aim is to control such persons and not the media.”

The advisory was issued on August 25 for mediapersons working in the district. The order also says no news portal can be run without the government’s permission. Instructions have been issued to all government officials not to speak with such news portals.

