Journalist associations severely crtiticised the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's decision of stringent punishment for spreading fake news. In a joint statement, Press Club of India, Indian Women's Press Corps, Press Association and Federation of Press Clubs of India, expressed their "deep concern". They said: "There is ample scope for introspection and reform of journalistic practices; yet a government fiat restraining the fourth pillar of our democracy is not the solution. A joint statement issued by the Press Club of India, Indian Women's Press Corps, Press Association and Federation of Press Clubs of Indi expressed their "deep concern" over the Monday order. Following widespread criticism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked for a withdrawal of the order earlier in the day. The order issued on Monday night said that a journalist's accreditation would be suspended once a complaint of fake news was registered against him, which would be later determined by Press Council of India (PCI) and News Broadcasters Association (NBA). If found that the news was indeed fake, he or she could also lose their accreditation for a limited period or permanently and thus be denied access to government institutions. Journalists and Opposition parties took a serious note of the order issued by the Information and Broadcasting ministry and described the guidelines as an attack on the freedom of press. On Tuesday afternoon, the I&B Ministry said in a press release that the "Guidelines for Accreditation of Journalists amended to regulate Fake News issued on April 2 stand withdrawn".
A joint statement issued by the Press Club of India, Indian Women's Press Corps, Press Association and Federation of Press Clubs of India expressed their "deep concern" over the Monday order. They said there was ample scope for introspection and reform of journalistic practices; yet a government fiat restraining the fourth pillar of our democracy was not the solution. "The Press Council of India was primarily set up to protect the freedom of the press, not to clamp down on it." One can clearly see a loss of control and panic setting in now. #BasEkAurSaal PIB Accreditation Guidelines asking Press Council of India & News Broadcasters Association to define & act against ‘fake news’ have generated debate. Several journalists & organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same. 1/2
"The government had to withdraw it (the press release) within 24 hours and this is a big victory of democracy and the media. I congratulate all journalists who unitedly opposed the decision," said Vikhe Patil, the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. ALSO READ: I&B ministry cancels fake news guidelines after PM Narendra Modi order 5) 'Feel free to meet me,' Smriti Irani welcomed suggestions from journalists: I&B Minister Smriti Irani welcomed the journalists and organisations interested in meeting her and helping curb the menace of "fake news". She would be happy to engage in a debate with journalists to fight against fake news. In a tweet on Wednesday night, after the ministry withdrew the earlier guidelines, she said, "Several journalists & organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same."
6) Nothing wrong if the govt wants to regulate fake news, said Press Council of India: Amid the criticism, Press Council of India supported the ministry's decision to regulate the circulation of fake news. "There is nothing wrong or obnoxious if a government intended to take remedial steps to check fake news, but an independent statutory authority should decide on its veracity," the Press Council of India said. The PCI, in a statement signed by chairman Justice (retd) C K Prasad. "No prudent person should or can justify the dissemination of fake news," it added. 7) Government can't control press, says Press Club of India President: Criticising the government's move to control the 'free media', Press Club of India President Gautam Lahiri said: “The government has no mandate to control the press.
The media was also worried about growing incidents of fake news, but the Press Council is the right platform to deal with complaints regarding any fake news.”
Veteran journalist H K Dua said: “The press release is totally bogus and it has dangerous connotations. The government wants to control the press. Who decides what is true and what is not? The I&B ministry? Maximum lies are planted by the government in the media.” 8) Press Council of India was expected to check the veracity of news: I&B Ministry guidelines had suggested that any complaints regarding fake news in the print media would be referred to Press Council of India. If the news related to the electronic media, it would be sent to News Broadcasters Association. The result was expected within 15 days by these agencies, the ministry had said in its earlier press release. ALSO READ: Fake news rules would've led to harassment, says Editors Guild of India 9) Amnesty International welcomes government's withdrawal move: "The withdrawal of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's order is welcome. This appeared to be a brazen attempt to control the media under the façade of controlling fake news and target critics of the government," Aakar Patel, Executive Director, Amnesty International India, said in a statement. He said several government spokespersons have been known to disseminate disinformation "which they should know to be false, on social media and on television. This dangerous trend needs to stop".
10) Editors Guild of India condemned the I&B move: Editors Guild of India had condemned the arbitrary manner contemplated by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry ostensibly to penalise any journalist or media organisation publishing fake news. "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, it added. Journalist propagating false news could be blacklisted, says Smriti Irani's ministry: The I&B ministry's proposed rules against fake news and news guidelines for journalists stated that the accreditation of journalists found creating or propagating any kind of fake news could be permanently cancelled, and they could be blacklisted for life. Smriti Irani Ministry's 'Anti-Fake news rules are Rajiv Gandhi redux? The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the Bofors scam and VP Singh's victory in the Allahabad by-election had rattled Rajiv Gandhi. He had then introduced the defamation Bill on August 29, 1988, ostensibly to gag the media. It sought to create new offences of "criminal imputation" and "scurrilous writings". Faced with unprecedented defiance from the media, and growing opposition from several quarters, he realised that anything short of withdrawal was going to damage the ruling party's sagging fortunes further. On September 22, 1988, Rajiv Gandhi withdrew the bill. In just 24 days, a government with the support of maximum MPs in the Lok Sabha, made this U-turn.
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