PM ordered withdrawal of Fake News order by IB Ministry
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted immediately and directed the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to withdraw its order which stated that if a journalist was found to have “created of propagated” fake news, the scribe’s accreditation would be suspended or permanently cancelled. The decision comes after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s amendment created a ruckus in the media, with journalists slamming the move to intrude upon the independence of the press in India.
The bone of contention was an order issued by Information and Broadcasting Ministry on 2 April had said once a complaint was registered for “determination of fake news,” the accreditation of the journalist who “created and/or propagated the fake news” would be “suspended till such time the determination regarding the fake news is made by the regulating agencies”.
Smriti Irani, Information and Broadcasting Minister come under the eye of a storm after the guidelines were amended. She said, she was more than happy to interact with media organisations to tackle the menace of fake news and uphold ethical journalism. Several journalists & organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same,” Irani tweeted.
Sources said the PMO believes that any decision on fake news should be taken by bodies like Press Council of India (PCI) and News Broadcasters Association (NBA). The PMO has advised the I&B Ministry to withdraw its press release on fake news, the sources added.
