Govt to crack down on scribes to curb spread of fake news

New Delhi: In an effort to curb instances of fake news in various mediums including print and electronic media, the Narendra Modi government has amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists, proposing harsh punishment for journalists indulging in such practices. Complaints of such instances of fake news, will now be referred to the Press Council of India if it pertains to print media & to News Broadcasters Association if it relates to electronic media for determination of the news item being fake or not. “Determination is expected to be completed within 15 days by these regulating agencies. Once the complaint is registered for determination of fake news, the Correspondent or journalist whoever created or propagated the fake news will, if accredited, have the accreditation suspended till such time the determination regarding the fake news is made by the regulating agencies,” a statement issued by the I&B ministry said.

The Accreditation Committee of the PIB which consists of representative of both PCI and NBA shall be invariably be reached out to for validating any accreditation request of any news media agency. While any confirmation of publication or telecast of fake news having been confirmed by any of these agencies, the accreditation shall be suspended for a period of 6 months in the first violation and for one year in the case of Second violation and in the event of third violation it would be cancelled permanently, the statement added.

“While examining the requests seeking accreditation, the regulatory agencies will Examine whether the ‘Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ and ‘Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards’ prescribed by the PCI and NBA respectively are adhered to by the journalists...It would be obligatory for journalists to abide by these guidelines,” it read.