After widespread criticism and PMO directive, I&B ministry withdraws press release on fake news
The PMO's directive came minutes after I&B minister Smriti Irani tweeted saying her ministry is "is more than happy to engage with" journalists who want to check fake news.
.@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
The government yesterday said the accreditation of a journalist could be permanently cancelled if the scribe is found generating or propagating fake news, reported PTI. As per amended guidelines for journalists' accreditation, if the publication or telecast of fake news is confirmed, the accreditation of the journalist responsible for it would be suspended for six months in the first violation and for one year in case of a second violation.
The Congress, the CPM and a whole host of journalists questioned the Centre's new rules to check the spread of fake news saying it was trying to muzzle press freedom and suppress uncomfortable news about the government.
Who determines what news is fake is also an issue of contention, tweeted Congress leader Ahmed Patel. The new rules leave a lot of room for misuse.
"Is it not possible that motivated complaints will be filed to suspend accreditation until an enquiry is on? What is the guarantee that these guidelines will check fake news, or is it an attempt to prevent genuine reporters from reporting news uncomfortable to establishment?" asked Patel in a 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 ?
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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
Senior CPM leader Sitaram Yechury also criticised the Centre's move, describing it as "duplicitous".
"We fought for press freedom during the Emergency, then against the Defamation Bill. We condemn this duplicitous move of the Modi government where in 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," tweeted Yechury.
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