Prime Minister Narendra Modi today ordered the information & broadcasting ministry to cancel its contentious guidelines on fake news after widespread criticism and outcry by journalists and opposition who dubbed these norms as an attempt to “muzzle” the free press.
Soon after, the ministry issued a statement, saying the press release regarding fake news issued by it last night “stands withdrawn.”
In the press release, the I&B ministry announced punitive measures like cancellation of accreditation to contain fake news, a decision dubbed by journalist and opposition parties as an attempt to curb press freedom ahead of the general elections due by 2019.
The Prime Minister has directed that the press release regarding the fake news be withdrawn and the matter should only be addressed by the Press Council of India, a senior PMO official said. The Prime Minister was also of the view that the government should not interfere in the matter, the official added.
Amending the guidelines for accreditation of journalists, the ministry said if the publication or telecast of fake news was confirmed, accreditation of a journalist would be suspended for six months in case of first violation, and for one year in case of a second violation. In case of a third violation, his or her accreditation would be cancelled permanently, the new norms had said. The I&B ministry's decision drew sharp criticism from opposition parties as well as from press bodies.
The Congress said fascism has touched its peak as it sought to “muzzle” independent voices through “fallacious” rules. The AAP and CPI-M likened the situation to the ‘emergency'.
The government has no mandate to control the press. The media is also worried about growing incidents of fake news but the Press Council is the right platform to deal with complaints regarding any fake news.Gautam Lahiri, President, Press Club of India
Reacting strongly, veteran journalist HK Dua said, “The press release is totally bogus and it has dangerous connotations. That means, the government wants to control the press. Who decides what is true and what is not true? The I&B ministry will decide what is true and not true? Maximum lies are planted by the government in the media...”
The norms had also said any complaint of instances of fake news would be referred to the Press Council of India, if it pertains to print media, and to the News Broadcasters Association, if it relates to the electronic media, to determine if the news item is fake. This determination is expected to be completed within 15 days by these agencies, the ministry said.
Once the complaint for determination of fake news is registered, the accreditation of the journalist who “created and/or propagated” the fake news will be suspended till the determination is made, the ministry had said.
Watch this discussion with Senior Journalist Siddharth Vardarajan, Pratik Sinha Co-Founder of Alt News and Nirwa Mehta of OpIndia.
“Fascism reaches its ‘nadir' as a shaky Modi government, caught in its web of lies, seeks to muzzle all independent voices in media through fallacious rules!,” Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala tweeted.
Fascism reaches its ‘nadir' as a shaky Modi Govt, caught in its web of lies, seeks to muzzle all independent voices in media through fallacious rules!
Will the 13 Union Ministers answer for the lame duck portal tarnishing mainstream media?#FakeNewshttps://t.co/td6GbYFeXQSenior Congress leader Ahmed Patel also questioned the government's attempt to check fake news asking whether it is an attempt to prevent reporters from reporting news uncomfortable to the establishment.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee termed the attempt as a “brazen and draconian” move to curb press freedom, and said it showed the government “has lost its way”. “What about fake news spread by a political party on a regular basis?” she asked on Twitter without naming any party.
Recalling the fight for press freedom during days of the emergency (imposed for 21 months between 1975 and 1977), CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said his party condemned the “duplicitous” move. He accused the government of attacking the media in the garb of fake news over news it finds “uncomfortable”. "We stand for, and are committed to a free and independent Press,” the Left leader tweeted.
“It is like an undeclared emergency. The Government wants to gag the Press. They want the Press to write what the Government wants,” said CPI-leader Mohammed Salim.
AAP leader Ashutosh said “Till now there was an informal emergency on media, except few all were scared, and fell in line. Now formal emergency. Who is govt to regulate press ? And will journalists raise their voice against this draconian rule ? Like they did against Rajiv Gandhi on defamation law ? I doubt !!”
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