Home India I&B ministry withdraws guidelines to regulate fake news, Congress terms decision a victory of democracy, media

I&B ministry withdraws guidelines to regulate fake news, Congress terms decision a victory of democracy, media

A day after the The I&B Ministry sent out a circular stating that the accreditation of a journalist, found to have "created and/or propagated" fake news, will be suspended or permanently cancelled, the Prime Minister's Office Tuesday ordered its withdrawal.

Union I&B Minister Smriti Irani said the Press Council of India and the News Broadcasters Association, which are not “regulated/operated” by the government, will determine whether the news is fake or not. (Express Photo/Prem Nath Pandey/File)

A day after the The I&B Ministry sent out a circular stating that the accreditation of a journalist, found to have “created and/or propagated” fake news, will be suspended or permanently cancelled, the Prime Minister’s Office Tuesday ordered its withdrawal. The PMO, it is learnt, directed that the matter be addressed in the Press Council on India.

Drawing widespread criticism from journalists and even some Opposition members on Tuesday, I&B Minister Smriti Irani invited suggestions from journalists and organisations on fighting “the menace of ‘fake news'”. Taking to Twitter, she said, “.@MIB_India is more than happy to engage with journalist body or organisation/s wanting to give suggestions so that together we can fight the menace of ‘fake news’ & uphold ethical journalism. Interested journalists and/or organisations may feel free to meet me at @MIB_India.”

Read | In name of fake news, Government frames rules to blacklist journalists

The Editors Guild of India strongly condemned the “arbitrary” measure contemplated by the I&B Ministry to regulate fake news. It said the Ministry’s decision was meant to “browbeat and muzzle the press.”

“By notifying that the I & B Ministry will initiate such proceedings, the Government was arrogating for itself the role of policing the media. It would have opened the door for frivolous complaints to harass journalists and organisations to fall in line,” the Editors Guild said.

READ | PM Modi wants guideline spiked; Smriti Irani says more than happy to engage with Press

Here are reactions to the I&B Ministry’s order on fake news

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd