Warning to Journalists; Centre fires on fake news

New Delhi, April 03: Here is shocking news for electronic and Print media, journalism Sectors. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting headed by Union Minister Smriti Irani on Monday amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists.

The government on Monday said the accreditation of a journalist could be permanently cancelled if the person is found generating or propagating fake news, as it came out with stringent measures to contain the menace.

As per the amendments regarding the accreditation of journalists, if the publication or telecast of fake news is confirmed, the accreditation of that journalist would be suspended for a period of six months in the first violation and for one year in case of a second violation.

In case of a third violation, his or her accreditation would be canceled permanently, the information and broadcasting ministry said in a release. On receiving complaints of "fake news" will be referred to Press Council of India (PCI) if it pertains to print media & to News Broadcasters Association (NBA) if it relates to electronic media.

Both the agencies will have to dispose of each complaint within 15-days. During the period of the probe, the journalist's accreditation will be suspended.

The Accreditation Committee of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), which consists of representatives of both the PCI and the NBA, would be reached out for validating any accreditation request of any news media agency, it said.

Yesterday, Malaysian Govt approved the bill, If it found fake news generation or spreading by any news channel, they should be punished with imprisonment of 6 months.