Lok Sabha Question No. 43 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Fake News
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Ranjan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. *43 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025)

## FAKE NEWS

- *43.  SHRI RAJESH RANJAN :

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

- (a)  whether  there  has  been  an  increase  in  the  circulation  of  fake  and  misleading  news  by  the social media sector including private sector news channels;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken cognisance of such news and taken action thereon;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether the Government proposes to take any action such as complete ban on these news channels and social media and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *43 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025 ON FAKE NEWS

(a) to (d): Free speech is protected under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. Government of India is cognisant of the increasing instances of fake, false and misleading information across media platforms.

Various statutory  and  institutional  mechanisms  have  been  put  in  place  to  curb  the  spread  of such content.

## Electronic Media

-  TV  channels  follow  the  Programme  Code  under  the  Cable  Television  Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995
-  It  prohibits  content  that  is  obscene,  defamatory,  deliberately  false,  or  that  contains suggestive innuendos and half-truths.
-  Rules  framed  under  the  act  establish  a  three-tier  grievance  redressal  mechanism  to address violations.
- o Level I - Self-regulation by the broadcasters
- o Level II - Regulation by broadcasters' self-regulatory bodies
- o Level III - Oversight mechanism by the Central Government

Violation  of  the  Programme  Code  is  addressed  through  advisories,  warnings,  apology  scrolls, temporary off-air directions, etc

## Print Media

-  Norms of Journalistic Conduct issued by Press Council of India restrain the publication of fake, defamatory, or misleading news.
-  PCI can inquire into alleged violations of these norms.
-  PCI  duly  examines  complaints  and  takes  measures  such  as  warning,  admonishing  or censuring the newspaper, editors, journalists, etc.

## Digital Media:

Code of Ethics has been framed under IT Rules 2021 for publishers of news and current affairs on digital media:

-  Intermediaries must prevent users from sharing misinformation or information which is patently false and untrue or misleading in nature.
-  A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for adherence to the Code of Ethics is also provided.
-  The Grievance Officer is appointed by platforms to handle complaints related to false or defamatory content within a fixed timeframe.
-  Part  II  of  the  IT  Rules,  inter  alia,  casts  an  obligation  on  intermediaries  to  prevent  the dissemination of information that is patently false, untrue, or misleading in nature.

The government issues the orders under Section 69A of the IT Act in the interest of sovereignty and  integrity  of  India,  defence  of  India,  security  of  the  State,  friendly  relations  with  foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above.

## Fact Check Unit

The Fact Check Unit (FCU) is set up under the Press Information Bureau to check fake news relating to the Central Government.

-  It verifies the authenticity of news from authorised sources in Ministries/Departments of the Government of India.
-  FCU then posts correct information on its social media platforms.

This framework safeguards creative freedom while addressing the harms caused by misinformation.

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