Fake news: After uproar in media, PM Modi asks notice to be withdrawn

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed that the press release regarding the crackdown on the menace of fake news issued by the Union Information & Broasting ministry be withdrawn. He stated that the matter should only be addressed in Press Council of India, as reported in ANI.

The Information & Broadcasting Ministry, led by Smriti Irani on Monday laid down the amended guidelines in a press release stating that the accreditation of a journalist could be permanently cancelled if the scribe is found generating or propagating fake news. The press release also cited an increase in “instances of fake across various mediums, including print and electronic media,” the new guidelines propose that the government would permanently cancel the accreditation of journalists found guilty or creating or disseminating fake news.

The withdrawal decision by PM Modi comes at a time when Union Minister Smriti Irani was asking for suggestions on Twitter to fight the menace of ‘fake news’ to uphold ethical journalism. "Interested journalists and/or organisations may feel free to meet me at @MIB_India", Smriti Irani had tweeted.