Lok Sabha Question No. 2707 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-02
Subject: Misuse of PIB Card
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal, Pashupati Nath Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2707 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2022

## MISUSE OF PIB CARD

2707. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note of increasing instances of fake news in various  mediums  including  print  and  electronic  media  and  misuse  of  Press Information Bureau (PIB) card by various media houses and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  amended  the  guidelines  for  accreditation  of journalists and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  released  new  guidelines  for  renewal  of  PIB accredited card for journalist in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR)

- (a)  The  Government  has  statutory  and  institutional  mechanisms  in place to combat fake news including the following:
- (i) For Print Media, Press Council of India (PCI), a statutory autonomous body set up under the Press Council Act, 1978. PCI has framed 'Norms of Journalistic Conduct' for adherence by the media, which includes specific norms to refrain Print Media from publication/ dissemination of fake/false news.
- (ii) For Electronic Media (Television), all TV Channels are required to adhere to the Programme  Code  under  the  Cable  Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995,
- (iii) For  Digital  news,  the  Government  has  notified  the  Information Technology  (Intermediary  Guidelines  and  Digital  Media  Ethics Code)  Rules,  2021  on  25 th   February,  2021,  under  the  Information Technology Act, 2000.

Appropriate  action  is  taken  in  cases  where  violation  of  the Norms, Codes etc. are  found.    The  Government  also  issues  advisory from time to time to the media to adhere to the laid down Codes.  The Press  Council  of  India  also  adjudicates  cases  related  to  Fake  News Accreditation Guidelines,  2022  dated  1 st   February,  2022  provides  for  suspension/

and takes action thereupon. The Central Media withdrawal of PIB Accreditation in case of its misuse. (b)  to  (c)  Recognizing  the  rapidly  evolving  media  landscape  in  the country  including  emergence  of  digital  media  and  to  streamline  the accreditation process, the Government has issued 'The Central Media Accreditation Guidelines, 2022' dated 1 st  February, 2022 for grant of PIB accreditation cards to working journalists and other categories of persons at the headquarters of the Government of India in accordance with the eligibility criteria and other conditions, etc. laid down under these guidelines. The  changes inter-alia include grant of PIB accreditation to the journalists working with digital news publishers, constitution of a sub-committee for quick decision making, adherence to various statutory compliances, etc.

The PIB is granting accreditation under the new Guidelines of 2022.

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