Lok Sabha Question No. 571 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Spread of Fake News
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Kotagiri Sridhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 571 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2024

## SPREAD OF FAKE NEWS

## 571. SHRI SRIDHAR KOTAGIRI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that fake news has become a big problem resulting in several negative consequences;
- (b) If so, the steps being taken  to curb the spread of fake news;
- (c) whether the Government has ordered any kind of study of major apps/news-houses that disseminate digital information to gauge their contribution to the spread of fake news, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  fine  organizations  that  do  not  stop  the  spread  of false messages, similar to the process in Germany, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and;
- (e) the steps taken to improve media literacy amongst citizens to decrease their susceptibility to fake news ?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e) The Government has statutory and  institutional mechanisms in place to address  fake news on various media platforms.

For  Print  Media,  the  newspapers  have  to  adhere  to  'Norms  of  Journalistic  Conduct' brought  out by Press Council of India (PCI)  which inter alia restrain publication of fake/defamatory/ misleading news. The Council holds inquiry into alleged violations of Norms, as  per  section  14  of  the  Act,  and  may  warn,  admonish  or  censure  the  newspaper,  editors, journalists, etc. as the case may be.

Content on  TV Channels is  required to adhere to the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, which  inter alia provides that no  contents which contains  anything  obscene,  defamatory,  deliberate,  false  and  suggestive  innuendos  and  halftruths is broadcast. Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, as amended in 2021, provides for a three tier grievance redressal mechanism to look into the complaints relating to the violation of the Code by the TV channels. Appropriate action is taken where violation of Programme Code is found.

Similarly, the content of digital news publishers is required to adhere to a Code of ethics provided under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code)  Rules,  2021.      These  Rules  also  provide  for  a  three  tier  mechanism  for  redressal  of grievance relating to Code of Ethics by them.

A  Fact  Check  Unit  (FCU)  has  been  set  up  under  Press  Information  Bureau  under  the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting  in November, 2019 which takes cognizance of  fake news relating to the Central Government both suo-motu and by way of queries sent by citizens on its portal or through e-mail and social media. The Unit responds to the relevant queries with correct and updated information relating to the Central Government.

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