Lok Sabha Question No. 6103 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Misinformation Risks in Border Districts
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Ummeda Ram Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6103 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026)

## MISINFORMATION RISKS IN BORDER DISTRICTS

## 6103.  SHRI UMMEDA RAM BENIWAL :

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

- (a) whether the Government has assessed misinformation risks in border districts;
- (b) if so, whether local-language public information campaigns are conducted;
- (c) if so, whether community radio or local broadcasting is utilised; and
- (d) if  so,  whether  strengthened  communication  strategies  are  proposed  from  a  national security and social cohesion perspective?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

(a)  to  (d):  A  Fact  Check  Unit  (FCU)  functions  under  Press  Information  Bureau,  Ministry  of Information  and  Broadcasting.  FCU  identifies  misinformation  and  fake  news  relating  to  the Central  Government.  After  verifying  the  authenticity  of  news  from  authorized  sources,  FCU publishes correct information on its social media platforms for wide dissemination including in border districts.

During Operation Sindoor, the FCU actively identified misinformation and fake news circulating online.  It  promptly  fact-checked  false  claims,  providing  authentic  information,  and  ensuring accurate public communication. Ministry also issued directions for blocking of over 1,400 URLs on  digital  media  during  Operation  Sindoor.  The  content  of  these  URLs  included  false, misleading,  anti-India  news  content,  communally  sensitive  content  primarily  from  Pakistanbased social media accounts and inciteful content against Indian Armed Forces.

Under  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.

Apart from above, the Government takes all possible steps to curb fake news with the available statutory and institutional mechanisms on various media platforms, which 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 PCI Act, and may warn, admonish or censure the newspaper, editors, journalists, etc. as the case may be.
- Television: 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 halftruths 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 and publishers of online curated content, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) provides for a Code of Ethics along with a three-level institutional mechanism for redressal of grievance relating to violation of Code of Ethics by such publishers.

The I&B Ministry also issues advisories from time to time to private satellite TV channels for adherence of the Programme Code and Advertising Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

Community Radio Stations (CRSs) play an important role in dissemination of authentic, timely and  locally  relevant  information  including  in  border  districts.  Programmes  should  be  of immediate relevance to the local community thereby addressing local concerns and countering misinformation effectively. CRSs are required to constitute an Advisory and Content Committee comprising members from the local community, to decide upon the content being broadcast on the  community radio.  Programmes are preferably broadcast  in  local  languages  and  dialects  to ensure better outreach and comprehension among the target audience.

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