Lok Sabha Question No. 1602 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-26
Subject: Misleading Information on Government Scheme
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Pashupati Nath Singh, Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1602

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2022

## MISLEADING INFORMATION ON GOVERNMENT SCHEME.

1602. SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  videos,  contents  and information  on  various  websites  and  YouTube  channels  spread  fake  and misleading information regarding various Government Schemes including anti Government agenda;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the further steps taken by the Government to curb such incidents and ban these websites/channels?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING;  AND  MINISTER  OF  YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

(SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR):

(a) to (c): The  Government  has  notified  Information  Technology  (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021  under Information Technology Act, 2000,  on 25th February, 2021, which inter- alia provides for Code of Ethics to be followed by publishers of news & current affairs and a three level grievance redressal mechanism for looking into complaints  relating  to  violation  of  the  Code  of  Ethics  by such publishers. The Code of Ethics requires the publishers not to disseminate content which is inaccurate, misleading, false half-truth, etc.

A Fact Check Unit (FCU) has also been set up in Press Information Bureau under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in November, 2019 which addresses queries by citizens  on  its  portal  regarding  authenticity  of  news  in  print,  electronic  and  digital media and posts verified information on its social media platforms. In order to check the spread of COVID related fake news and to provide to the people an authentic source of  all  information  relating  to  the  pandemic,  a  COVID-dedicated  Cell  of  FCU  was  also created on 31st March, 2020, to which people can refer information related to Covid-19 for verification. The Fact Check Unit has responded to 34,125 actionable queries(including queries related to COVID-19). The PIB has also busted fake news and 875 posts thereof have been placed on its social media platforms.

Ministry  of  Information  &  Broadcasting  has  issued  directions  for  blocking  of  94  You Tube based news channels and 19 social media accounts/ websites/mobile applications for  publishing  content  not  found  to  be  in  the  interest  of  sovereignty  and  integrity  of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States etc., including fake news, in accordance with Section 69 A of Information Technology Act during the period 2021 to 2022.

Similarly, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has also issued directions for blocking of 747 URLs containing on social media intermediaries during 2021 to 2022 regarding content covered under section 69A of IT Act, 2000.

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