No Official, Patient Content on Social Media Without Approval
Mansoor Peer
Anantnag, May 19: Government Medical College Anantnag on Tuesday issued a detailed circular directing employees, officials, outsourced staff and students to strictly follow guidelines regarding the use of social media platforms.
The circular stated that platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, Telegram and YouTube were allegedly being used by some individuals in a manner inconsistent with institutional discipline, professional ethics and government instructions.
The administration referred to Government Order No. 1646-JK(GAD) of 2017 dated December 26, 2017, and Circular No. 09-JK(GAD) of 2023 dated March 24, 2023, issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), which lay down guidelines for social media usage by government employees.
According to the circular, no employee, official, outsourced staff member or student shall post, upload, circulate or share any confidential, official, patient-related or institution-related information, documents, images or videos on social media platforms without proper authorization.
The institution further directed that no person associated with GMC Anantnag and its Associated Hospitals should criticize or comment on government policies, administrative matters, institutional functioning, senior officers, patients, colleagues or workplace-related issues on social media platforms.
The circular also strictly prohibited the posting or sharing of vulgar, defamatory, threatening, communal, political, misleading or objectionable content that could affect the reputation and functioning of the institution and its associated hospitals.
It further stated that grievances related to workplace issues, academics, patient care, administration or service matters should not be raised on social media and instead must be routed through proper official channels.
The administration additionally banned unauthorized photography and videography inside college and hospital premises, including operation theatres, wards, emergency areas and academic sections, for social media circulation.
“All concerned shall ensure proper conduct while using social media platforms in their individual capacity and shall desist from indulging in any behaviour unbecoming of a public servant,” the circular stated.
The administration also directed administrators and moderators of official or unofficial social media groups related to GMC Anantnag and Associated Hospitals to ensure that no inappropriate, misleading or unauthorized content is circulated in such groups.