Srinagar, Nov 17 (KNS): National Journalism Day was celebrated on Wednesday with calls for media to avoid social media journalism and to curb the menace of fake news spreading via social media besides upholding the principles of journalism.

Senior broadcaster and Assistant Cultural officer at DIPR, Shakeel Shaan while talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS) said that in todays time, social media holds a major role in spreading fake news. But the journalists should maintain the principles of the profession and should avoid social media journalism. In order to provide news first without fact checking and research, the stories are being shared which can prove negative for the society.

He said as on 16th November world press day is celebrated. Following the day on 17th November National journalism Day is celebrated all over the country. On this day I call upon my friends from media to make all efforts to curb this menace of fake news and uphold the dignity of our profession.

Shakeel said that Keeping in view the importance of this day, the Cultural wing of Doordarshan organized this event today. All the senior journalists of electronic and print media of valley were invited for the event.

"Today we discussed with them certain topics regarding the challenges faced by journalists. Our main topic of today’s event was “Social media Journalism”," he added.

Various issues were discussed regarding the social media journalism, specially the fake news being circulated through social media. The senior journalists suggested some points about how to stop the spread of fake news through social media.

KNS senior Editor Shabir Malik was also present at the occasion who shared some vital points about the curbing of fake news spread through social media.

Shakeel said that in todays’s times social media plays a major role in spreading fake news. Without fact checking people share news on social media. These are the matters of concern as credibility and fact checking are the pillars of journalism.

"We hope that these issues would be taken seriously and some mechanism would be devised to stop the spread of fake news through social media," he said.

Shakeel added that In the race of providing news before the other channel, the authenticity of the journalist profession shouldn’t be compromised.

Our motive behind raising this topic is to stop the negativity which spreads in the society due to fake news stories circulated on social media platforms, he said.(KNS)