Lok Sabha Question No. 2824 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Action against Misinformation
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Krishna Prasad Tenneti, Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Shri Putta Mahesh Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2824

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## ACTION AGAINST MISINFORMATION

## 2824.  SHRI KRISHNA PRASAD TENNETI:

SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR:

SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:

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

- a) the details of the total number of websites, news channels, social media accounts and other media forms that have been taken down/suspended due to them being notified as fake news/misinformation by Fact Checking Units (FCUs) across the country, Statewise and especially those arising from Andhra Pradesh;
- b) the details of the total amount of fines collected from organisations/corporate entities and/or individuals who participate in spreading fake news/misinformation during the last five years, State-wise especially from Andhra Pradesh;
- c) whether  the  Government  authorises  private  FCU's  to  identify  and  notify  relevant authorities regarding misinformation/fake news being spread;
- d) if so, the details of private Fact Checking Units (FCUs) registered, recognised and/or authorised to identify fake news/misinformation during the last five years across the country, State-wise particularly in Andhra Pradesh;
- e) whether the Government has implemented any institutional framework/SOPs to verify and grade private FCUs from security point of view, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- f) whether the Government has undertaken any works to provide cybersecurity to fact checking units, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND

## PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a) to (f): Fake news and misinformation has potential to damage our social fabric.

Under the Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Government issues necessary orders to  block  websites,  social  media  handles  and  posts  in  the  interest of  sovereignty  and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, and public order.

A  Fact  Check  Unit  (FCU)  has  been  set  up  under  Press  Information  Bureau,  Ministry  of Information and Broadcasting in November, 2019 to check fake news relating to the Central Government. After verifying the authenticity of news from authorized sources in Ministries/ Departments  of  Government  of  India,  FCU  posts  correct  information  on  its  social  media platforms.

Government of India has not authorized any private person to carry out fact check.

Other legal provisions to address misinformation include:

1. Print media: Newspapers have to adhere to 'Norms of Journalistic Conduct' brought out by the Press Council of India (PCI). These norms inter-alia restrain publication of fake/ defamatory/  misleading  news.  The  Council  holds  inquiry  into  alleged  violations  of  the norms, as per section 14 of the Act, and may warn, admonish or censure the newspaper, editors, journalists, etc. as the case may be.
2. Television media: TV channels are required to adhere to the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, which, inter alia, provides that content which contains anything obscene, defamatory, deliberate, false and suggestive innuendos and  half-truths  is  not  broadcast.  Cable  Television  Network  (Amendment)  Rules,  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.
3. Digital  media:  For  the  publishers  of  news  and  current  affairs  on  digital  media,  the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) provides for a Code of Ethics.

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