After much criticism, PMO tells MIB to withdraw press release on fake news

Read Previous Release on “Guidelines for Accreditation of Journalists Amended to Regulate Fake News”

“Prime Minister of India has directed that the press release regarding #fakenews be withdrawn and the matter should only be addressed in Press Council of India.” Further, “PIB Accreditation Guidelines asking Press Council

of India & News Broadcasters Association to define & act against ‘fake news’ have generated debate. Several journalists & organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same. 1/2″

PREVIOUS PRESS RELEASE ON FAKE NEWS: Noticing the increasing instances of fake news in various mediums including print and electronic media, the Government has amended the Guidelines for Accreditation of Journalists. Now on receiving any complaints of such instances of fake news, the same would get referred to the Press Council of India (PCI) if it pertains to print media & to News Broadcasters Association (NBA) if it relates to electronic media, for determination of the news item being fake or not.

CURRENT STATUS

Big story: @PMOIndia withdraws the Ministry of Information and broadcasting press release that was penalizing mainstream media in the name of #FakeNews Welcome intervention https://t.co/uZtDODURig

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) April 3, 2018

Determination is expected to be completed within 15 days by these regulating agencies. Once the complaint is registered for determination of fake news, the correspondent/journalist whoever created and/or propagated the fake news will, if accredited, have the accreditation suspended till such time the determination regarding the fake news is made by the regulating agencies mentioned above.

.@MIB_India is more than happy to engage with journalist body or organisation/s wanting to give suggestions so that together we can fight the menace of ‘fake news’ & uphold ethical journalism. Interested journalists and/or organisations may feel free to meet me at @MIB_India. 2/2

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 3, 2018

The Accreditation Committee of the PIB which consists of representative of both PCI and NBA shall be invariably be reached out to for validating any accreditation request of any news media agency. While any confirmation of publication or telecast of fake news having been confirmed by any of these agencies, the accreditation shall be suspended for a period of 6 months in the first violation and for one year in the case of 2 nd violation and in the event of 3rd violation it would be cancelled permanently.

CURRENT STATUS

PIB Accreditation Guidelines asking Press Council of India & News Broadcasters Association to define & act against ‘fake news’ have generated debate. Several journalists & organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same. 1/2

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 3, 2018

While examining the requests seeking accreditation, the regulatory agencies will examine whether the `Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ and `Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards’ prescribed by the PCI and NBA respectively are adhered to by the journalists as part of their functioning. It would be obligatory for journalists to abide by these guidelines..