According to CM Sarma, the state government only provides identity cards to journalists of print and electronic media.
Digital Desk: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that the people who work for web portals are not recognised as journalists under the Assam Government rules. His remark came after the arrest of senior journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar, who was detained under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act on March 25 after questioning Dambaru Saikia, Managing Director of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank Limited.
During a press conference at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati, CM Sarma commented on Mozumdar's arrest. He said that the state government's Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) does not officially recognise journalists working for YouTube channel portals as recognised or accredited media persons.
He further said that the Assam Government has not provided registrations and identity cards to the web portal workers, and they do not qualify as journalists according to the government norms. There has been no discussion on this issue, and even portals have not approached the government for recognition.
Questioning Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar's profession, CM Sarma said that his profession remains unclear whether he is a businessman or a journalist. The CM said that Mozumdar has posted on his Facebook handle as an owner of dumpers.
According to CM Sarma, the state government only provides identity cards to journalists of print and electronic media.
Taking to X, CM Sarma wrote, "It has come to my notice that some media houses have reported the arrest of a journalist by Assam Police. I would like to clarify that Assam Police has not arrested any journalist in recent times."
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