PM directs I&B to withdraw guideline on fake news

At 12 Noon on Tuesday Information & Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani was tweeting her ministry’s willingness to engage with media organisations and journalists to counter the menace of fake news. She appeared satisfied with the ‘debate’ generated by the PIB press release issued late on Monday evening saying that print and electronic journalists found guilty of purveying fake news would lose their accreditation.

Barely an hour later news agencies PTI and IANS reported that a livid Prime Minister had intervened and ordered the press release to be withdrawn. However ANI tweeted around Noon that the PM had directed that the issue be addressed by the Press Council of India and the press release be withdrawn.

There was, however, no official word from Irani’s office or the PIB and no tweet from the PMO.

The press release indeed had generated widespread condemnation from journalists and even media owners. Demands were made for the ministry to first define ‘ fake news’ and issue a white paper on the extent of fake news to justify its concern.

Observers however felt that in the one-man government of Narendra Modi, it was unlikely that the press release could have been issued without informing the PMO. The press release was quickly followed by approving tweets by union ministers and BJP supporters.

There were other tweets mocking the seriousness of the Government in dealing with fake news.