Education Dep issues memo to teachers for running Social media news channel 

The Himachal Pradesh Education department issued a memo to a few teachers and  employees of the State for violation of service conduct rules, by running  a news channel and also disseminating unauthentic news.

The memo issued by Director Higher education, Himachal Pradesh Dr Amarjeet Singh Sharma said that “It has come to the notice that few teachers or employees are running news channel on social media without any permission of the competent authority and also disseminate un – authentic news related to the different decisions or policies of the Government or Department. Stating further, such type of news disseminated on the social media are creating the confusion and mistrust amongst the employees and general public.  Due to such news, the employees and persons with necessity are unable to take the right decision about the decisions and policies of the Government and department,” stated the memo.

This letter forward to all the Principal and Headmaster of Education Institution warned that it is a violation of Central Civil Services or Conduct Rules. Stating that “any teachers or employees shall not run any un-authorized news channel on social media or directly interact with media for public release without permission of the competent authority.”  If any employee repeats such type of activities, necessary disciplinary action will be initiated against defaulter, clarified the memo.”

Pertinent to mention, that the rise of social media has motivated number of government employees also, to run media portals/ news channels, also seeking Government advertisement on their own name or on the name of their spouses. The memo however not disclose name of such employees.