The Bihar government has approved amendments to the Bihar Crime Control Act (CCA) to crack down on the rising misuse of social media, fake news, rumors, and inflammatory posts. Under the new guidelines, district-level “Media Monitoring-cum-Media Management Cells” are being established across all districts to closely watch digital platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Headed by the Additional Collector (Law and Order), these cells will monitor published content, issue clarifications for misleading information, and take strict legal action against offenders.
According to the directives issued by the Chief Secretary, the monitoring team includes key district officials such as the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters), Cyber DSP, and the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO), who will serve as the nodal officer. If any individual’s social media activity is found to threaten public peace, incite communal tension, or disrupt law and order, district magistrates are empowered to invoke the CCA. This allows for stringent measures, including preventive detention for up to three months, externment (district banishment), or mandatory regular police station reporting.
While legal experts and press club representatives have welcomed the initiative to curb fake news and cyber threats, they emphasized the need for a balanced approach. They stressed that the law should be applied fairly to ensure that constitutional rights to freedom of speech, legitimate criticism, and independent journalism are not suppressed through political pressure or malice.
