Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (DC)
Updated
New Delhi, Apr 2: Following widespread criticism from various quarters against the central government over guidelines to curb fake news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday April 3 directed that the newly amended guidelines on fake news be withdrawn and that the matter should only be addressed in Press Council of India.
It may be recalled that on Monday April 2 information and broadcasting ministry in its statement said that accreditation of journalists who publish or propagate fake news could be permanently suspended or cancelled as per the amended guidelines of the central government.
However, though it may sound a positive step on the outset, it has created panic among journalists, who, along with the opposition parties, described the guidelines as an attack on the freedom of press.
An emergency meeting was also called at the Press Club of India.
Minister of information and broadcasting Smriti Irani said that the guidelines have generated a lot of debate and that the government was open for suggestions from journalists. "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. @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," she tweeted.
The order had further said that following increase in fake news across media, especially in newspapers and on TV channels, the government has amended the 'Guidelines for Accreditation of Journalists' according to which accreditation of a scribe 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 accreditation would be cancelled permanently.
Earlier News
New Delhi: Govt to crack down on fake news, journalists to face action
Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi (DC)
New Delhi, Apr 4 : The accreditation of journalists who publish or propagate fake news could be permanently cancelled as per the amended guidelines of the central government.
The information and broadcasting ministry on Monday April 2 in its statement said that following increase in fake news across media, especially in newspapers and on TV channels, the government has amended the 'Guidelines for Accreditation of Journalists' according to which accreditation of a scribe 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 accreditation would be cancelled permanently.
The new guidelines however does not apply to websites and social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter which are mostly responsible for the wide circulation of fake news.
The ministry further stated that for the determination of a news item being fake or not, all the complaints received would be first referred to the Press Council of India (PCI), if it pertains to print media, and it will be referred to the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) if it relates to the electronic media.
The determination of a news item would take maximum 15 days by these two agencies. Until determination of the fake news is made, the accreditation of scribe involved in the complaint would be suspended. For validating any accreditation request of any news media agency, one may reach out to the Accreditation Committee of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), which consists of representatives of both the PCI and the NBA. The committee while examining the requests would check whether the journalists have adhered the Norms of Journalistic Conduct and Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards of the PCI and the NBA.
The accreditation is needed for the scribes to avail several benefits like entry into government buildings and official functions.