India withdraws move to crack down on journalists publishing fake news
A day after it brought out a set of stringent measures to deal with fake news, the I&B ministry withdrew them on Tuesday, after the PMO directed the same. According to top sources the Prime Minister's Office did not want any raging controversy on the freedom of speech and was apprehensive about the reactions to the new guidelines.
In an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting came out with stringent measures on Monday to deal with fake news. It said that the accreditation of a journalist could be permanently cancelled if the scribe is found generating or propagating fake news.
As per the amended guidelines for the accreditation of journalists, if the publication or telecast of fake news is confirmed, the accreditation of that journalist would be suspended for a period of six months in the first violation and for one year in case of a second violation. In case of a third violation, the journalist's accreditation would be cancelled permanently. The Centre said that it would be obligatory for all journalists to abide by these guidelines.
The PMO has now directed that the press release regarding fake news be withdrawn and the matter should only be addressed in Press Council of India.
Thereafter the I&B ministry issued a clarification that the new directive has been withdrawn minister. Minister Smriti Irani tweeted that she was 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 her. She also said PIB Accreditation Guidelines asking Press Council of India & News Broadcasters Association to define & act against ‘fake news’ have generated debate. Several journalists and organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same," she tweeted.
Top sources in the government said there will be more consultations with the Press Council of India and that it will be left to the regulating agencies to handle the issue of fake news. As of now there is no clear definition of what comprises fake news by any of these regulating agencies - this was among the criticism that the ministry's new directive attracted on Monday.
Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Monday questioned the government's attempt to check fake news, asking whether it was aimed at preventing journalists from reporting news uncomfortable to the establishment. He also asked who will determine if a reported news item is "fake" and expressed apprehension that rules might be misused to harass reporters. TMC head Mamata Banerji too had asked for the directive to be withdrawn.
In an unprecedented move, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting came out with stringent measures on Monday to deal with fake news. It said that the accreditation of a journalist could be permanently cancelled if the scribe is found generating or propagating fake news.
As per the amended guidelines for the accreditation of journalists, if the publication or telecast of fake news is confirmed, the accreditation of that journalist would be suspended for a period of six months in the first violation and for one year in case of a second violation. In case of a third violation, the journalist's accreditation would be cancelled permanently. The Centre said that it would be obligatory for all journalists to abide by these guidelines.
PIB Accreditation Guidelines asking Press Council of India & News Broadcasters Association to define & act against… https://t.co/LJ0xYAHgny
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) 1522738078000The PMO has now directed that the press release regarding fake news be withdrawn and the matter should only be addressed in Press Council of India.
Thereafter the I&B ministry issued a clarification that the new directive has been withdrawn minister. Minister Smriti Irani tweeted that she was 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 her. She also said PIB Accreditation Guidelines asking Press Council of India & News Broadcasters Association to define & act against ‘fake news’ have generated debate. Several journalists and organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same," she tweeted.
.@MIB_India is more than happy to engage with journalist body or organisation/s wanting to give suggestions so that… https://t.co/QXRCV3eZH6
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) 1522738154000Top sources in the government said there will be more consultations with the Press Council of India and that it will be left to the regulating agencies to handle the issue of fake news. As of now there is no clear definition of what comprises fake news by any of these regulating agencies - this was among the criticism that the ministry's new directive attracted on Monday.
Congress leader Ahmed Patel on Monday questioned the government's attempt to check fake news, asking whether it was aimed at preventing journalists from reporting news uncomfortable to the establishment. He also asked who will determine if a reported news item is "fake" and expressed apprehension that rules might be misused to harass reporters. TMC head Mamata Banerji too had asked for the directive to be withdrawn.