New Delhi: The Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday advised the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to withdraw its press release on fake news and said the decision on what amounts to fake news should be left to bodies such the Press Council of India, official sources told PTI.
The MIB had announced measures to contain fake news on Monday, saying 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, his or her accreditation would be cancelled permanently, the MIB said in a release.
It said any complaint of instances of fake news would be referred to the Press Council of India (PCI), if it pertains to print media, and to the News Broadcasters Association (NBA), if it relates to the electronic media, for determination of the news item being fake or not. This determination is expected to be completed within 15 days by these agencies, the ministry said.
Also Read: Doctor Modi’s Cure for Fake News is Worse Than the Disease
The press release, however, didn’t define what constitutes fake news.
Once the complaint is registered for determination of fake news, the accreditation of the journalist, whoever created and/or propagated the fake news, will be suspended till the determination regarding the fake news is made, the ministry said.
The accreditation committee of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), which consists of representatives of both the PCI and the NBA, would be reached out for validating any accreditation request of any news media agency, it said.
The guidelines were questioned by journalists and the Opposition.
With its order today, government makes it clear that it only wants to penalise those who are accredited, i.e “Mainstream media”. The I&B ministry’s “Fake News” threat doesn’t extend to those websites that openly flout journalistic ethics, some q often quoted by Ministers. pic.twitter.com/SZ8v2AcLEH
— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) April 2, 2018
Committee comprising of senior officers , reps of PCI, NBA, IBF set up for regulations/ policy for digital broadcasting & News portals. Till such time the regulation is not implemented rules cannot be enforced for news portals by industry.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 2, 2018
But those who are penalised by today’s order, by definition, can only be those who are accredited. And they can be penalised on the basis of a “complaint”, not a final decision. I can’t imagine that’s fair, Ma’am.
— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) April 2, 2018
Accreditation committee comprises of editors, journalists and reps of PCI & NBA; do you think they will victimise one of their own? Also a celebrated senior journalist such as your kind self should support ethical journalism & not ‘fake news’.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 2, 2018
Would like to highlight that ‘fake news’ cases will be determined by PCI and NBA both not regulated / operated by GOI. Conduct rules and ethical work practices have been determined by NBA and PCI already.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 2, 2018
I appreciate the attempt to control fake news but few questions for my understanding:
1.What is guarantee that these rules will not be misused to harass honest reporters?
2.Who is going to decide what constitutes fake news ?
1/2— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) April 2, 2018
3. Is it not possible that motivated complaints will be filed to suspend accreditation until enquiry is on?
4.What is guarantee that these guidelines will check fake news or is it an attempt to prevent genuine reporters from reporting news uncomfortable to establishment?
2/2
— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) April 2, 2018
“MIB 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,” tweeted Smriti Irani after PMO ordered the her ministry to withdraw its press release on fake news.
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
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 3, 2018
.@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. 2/2
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 3, 2018