Lok Sabha Question No. 925 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-13
Subject: Regulation of Social Media against Fake News
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: S.R. Parthiban, Vincent H Pala, Rajan Baburao  Vichare, Ramya  Haridas, Pradeep Kumar Chaudhary, Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 925

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2022

## REGULATION OF SOCIAL MEDIA AGAINST FAKE NEWS

925.  SHRI PARTHIBAN S.R.

SHRI VINCENT H. PALA

SHRI RAJAN VICHARE

MS. RAMYA HARIDAS

SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR CHAUDHARY

SHRI MANOJ KOTAK :

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

- (a) whether some websites/news publishers on the internet are running fake news through online media and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the special provisions and other mechanism available and the steps taken to prevent/curb such misleading or fake news in the country;
- (c) whether the Government  proposes to regulate every website spreading  fake  news,  misleading  youths  and  instigating  people especially about caste and religion and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the  details  of  such  cases  identified  in  the  country  particularly  in Uttar Pradesh, district-wise;
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  study  or  survey  to determine  the  prevalence  of  misleading  or  fake  news  on  national mainstream news channels and if so, the details of the steps taken by the Government thereon so far; and
- (f) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  create  a  separate regulatory agency to bring in regulations for media houses and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR):

(a)  to  (d):  The  Government  has  notified  Information  Technology (Intermediary  Guidelines  and  Digital  Media  Ethics  Code)  Rules,  2021 (IT  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 on digital media 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 for news  publishers  on  digital media    requires adherence to  the Norms of Journalistic Conduct  of  Press Council of India (PCI), which has specific norms relating to accuracy &  fairness and reference to caste, religion or community.

Under the provisions of  IT  Rules, 2021 the   Ministry issues directions for blocking of  content  of digital news publishers covered under the provisions of Section 69 A of Information Technology Act, 2000.  From December, 2021, the Ministry has issued direction for blocking of  104 YouTube news channels, 45 videos and 25 social media accounts/posts/Apps/websites  of digital news publishers under these provisions.

The  Ministry  of  Information  &  Broadcasting  has  set  up  a  Fact  Check Unit (FCU) under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in November, 2019. The  Unit is  mandated  to  counter  misinformation  on  Government policies, initiatives and schemes either suo-moto or under a reference via complaints. The Fact Check Unit receives communication/message from  the  public  at  large  through  Whatsapp  (+918799711259),  email (pibfactcheck@gmail.com), Twitter (@PIBFactCheck) and PIB's website (www.pib.gov.in). Since its establishment, FCU has done fact check in 1405 cases and posted the result about such fact checks  on  its social media accounts.

State-wise data regarding violation of Code of Ethics is not  maintained centrally.

(e) to (f):  Under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 every  TV channel is required to adhere  to the Programme Code laid down thereunder. Vide Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021, the Government has laid down a Three Tier Grievance Redressal Mechanism to address grievances relating to violation of the Programme Code. Appropriate action is taken where such violations are found.

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