PMO retracts press release on fake news amidst heavy criticism

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Tuesday retracted the press statement about the new rules after the government’s issued new rules to check fake news garnered heavy criticism.

Further, the PMO said that the issues regarding the fake news should only be addressed in and by the Press Council of India (PCI), the regulatory body for print journalism.

The withdrawal came just minutes after Union information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani took to Twitter saying,

Tweet:

.@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

As per a PTI report, the government on Monday said that the accreditation of a journalist could be permanently cancelled if they are found generating or propagating fake news.

As per amended guidelines, the accreditation of the journalist responsible for the publication or telecast of fake news would be suspended for six months in the first violation and for one year in case of a second violation.

The Centre’s new rules to keep a check on the spread of fake news was questioned by the Congress, CPM and several journalists who said that they are trying to suppress uncomfortable news about the government and restrain press freedom.

Congress leader Ahmed Patel also tweeted in this regard,

Tweet:

I appreciate the attempt to control fake news but few questions for my understanding:
1.What is guarantee that these rules will not be misused to harass honest reporters?
2.Who is going to decide what constitutes fake news ?
1/2

— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) April 2, 2018

3. Is it not possible that motivated complaints will be filed to suspend accreditation until enquiry is on?

4.What is guarantee that these guidelines will check fake news or is it an attempt to prevent genuine reporters from reporting news uncomfortable to establishment?

2/2

— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) April 2, 2018

Senior CPM leader Sitaram Yechury also shared his criticism against the move with this tweet, "We fought for press freedom during the Emergency, then against the Defamation Bill. We condemn this duplicitous move of the Modi government wherein the garb of fake news, it will attack all the news it finds uncomfortable. We stand for, and are committed to a free and independent Press."

Responding to Congress leader Ahmed Patel’s tweet, Smriti Irani said that the PCI and the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) would decide which news is fake and what is genuine.

Tweet:

Glad to see you awake @ahmedpatel ji whether a News article / broadcast is fake or not will be determined by PCI & NBA; both of whom I’m sure you know are not controlled/ operated by GOI.

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 2, 2018

According to the press statement issued, the PCI and the NBA - the two regulatory bodies for print and television media respectively, will determine the genuineness of the news.

The press statement read, "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 or journalist whoever created 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.”