Lok Sabha Question No. 1765 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Misinformation Spread by Media
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1765

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025)

MISINFORMATION SPREAD BY MEDIA

1765.  DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  certain  sections  of  the media  are  often  involved  in  disseminating  misinformation  and  halfbaked or false narratives;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to curb  the  spread  of  such  misinformation  given  its  potential  to  create social unrest;
- (c)  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  proposes  to  address  the growing  challenge  of  AI-generated  videos  on  social  media  platforms that propagate misleading content and may threaten social harmony; and
- (d)  whether the Government is considering bringing forth legislation to make the deliberate and excessive dissemination of false information a punishable offence?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a)  to  (d):  Government has a sovereign duty to tackle fake news and misinformation.

## Legal Provisions to counter misinformation include:

-  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.
-  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.
-  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) provide for a Code of Ethics.

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. 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.

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