Good news for ‘fake news’ journalists: Ministry withdraws guidelines after Modi’s intervention

coastaldigest.com web desk
April 3, 2018

New Delhi, Apr 3: Within a day after it warned that journalists may lose their accreditation permanently if they spread fake news, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting headed by Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday took a U-turn and withdrew iits fresh guidelines. 

The warning

The Ministry on Monday, April 2, in a press release had warned that accreditation of a journalist (both television and print) can be cancelled/annulled if the news reported by them is found to be “fake”.

“Noticing the increasing instances of fake news in various mediums, including print and electronic media, the government has amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists,” a press note from the Ministry said.

On receiving complaints of “fake news”, it will be referred to the Press Council of India (PCI) if it pertains to print media and to the 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 probe, the journalist's accreditation will be suspended. In case of any confirmation of publication or telecast of fake news, the accreditation of the journalist shall be suspended for a period of six months in the first violation and for one year in the case of second violation. In the event of a third violation, it would be cancelled permanently, the Ministry warned.

PM Modi’s intervention

However, following the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Tuesday withdrew its press release which stated that journalists who “created” or “propagated” fake news would have lost their accreditation with the government. 

In a “clarification” issued on Tuesday, the ministry said, “This is to inform that the Press release on Fake news regulation issued yesterday i.e. 02 April 2018 stands withdrawn.”

Following the withdrawal of the press release, Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani tweeted that the PIB accreditation guidelines asking Press Council of India and News Broadcasters Association to define and act against ‘fake news’ have generated debate. 

“Several journalists and organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same,” she said. Irani said the I&B Ministry was “more than happy to engage with journalist bodies or organisations wanting to give suggestions so that together we can fight the menace of ‘fake news’ and uphold ethical journalism”. The minister said “interested journalists and/or organisations” were free to meet her at the ministry. 

Sources said the Prime Minister had “directed that the press release regarding fake news be withdrawn and the matter should only be addressed in Press Council of India”.

Also Read: Editor arrested for producing provocative fake news; BJP calls him a ‘nationalist’

Comments

Kumar
 - 
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2018

Soon Feku may introduce separate syllabus for that. How can be a successful believable fake journalist

Suresh Kalladka
 - 
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2018

Feku need this. Then only he can win this time

Ganesh
 - 
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2018

LOL.. Modi and Irani are the most benefited people of this

Vikranth
 - 
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2018

Hahaha. The development came days after Karnataka police arrested a fake news expert in Bengaluru. 

Abu Muhammad
 - 
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2018

A party and a generation of hate mongers that solely thrives on and lives on Fake news, paid news, doctored news & yellow journalism for its existence, can not initiate any action or issue guidelines on any Media (print or visual). Rather encourage more fake news to suit its ideology and suppress Truth.

Sonaxi
 - 
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2018

If journalists started losing accreditation for fake news then at least 80% of journalists in India will lose accreditation. Media is full of fake news.

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News Network
May 5,2020

Bengaluru, May 5: After Congress delegation was denied to donate a cheque of Rs one crore to ensure free transportation to migrants, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar said that Congress party can go anywhere and help anyone they want and BJP leaders must understand what constitutional rights are.

Earlier on Monday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister who holds the transport portfolio, Lakshman Savadi suggested the Congress delegation for donating at least Rs 150 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund instead of handing over a cheque of Rs one crore as a donation in order to bear the transportation fare of the migrants.

While reacting to Deputy CM and other BJP leaders' comments, Shivakumar said, "BJP leaders must understand what constitutional rights are. Who are these BJP leaders? They are now entering to help migrant workers after RSS guidelines. They must understand that we are a party and we can go anywhere and help anyone we want."

Congress leaders on Monday met Savadi to handover a cheque of Rs one crore in order to donate money for the migrant workers' transportation.

However, Savadi did not accept the cheque and suggested the Congress delegation to donate a bigger amount to the CM Relief Fund.

While addressing media after meeting the Congress leaders' delegation in the leadership of KPCC president, DK Shivakumar, Savadi said: "Congress has a history and its a wealthy party, still if Congress leaders want to donate, at least they must donate Rs 150 crores to the CM relief fund to fight COVID-19."

DK Shivakumar yesterday slammed the government and urged to depute free transport services to migrant workers, he asserted that Congress will donate money in this regard.

But the Managing Director of KSRTC denied to accept the cheque of Rs one crore and suggested the Congress delegation to meet transport minister or Chief Minister and donate to CM relief funds. Hence, today congress leaders met deputy CM Lakshman Savadi and tried to handover Rs one crore cheque which he did not accept.

After Congress leaders slammed the government and people criticised the decision of collecting bus fares, CM BS Yediyurappa ordered for free transport service to migrant workers.

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News Network
April 29,2020

Udupi, Apr 29: Udupi Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha on Wednesday said that though the district was in the green zone in connection with COVID-19, there would not be any further relaxations and the lockdown would continue till May 3.

According to a statement, he said that no fresh Covid-19 cases have been reported for the past month. However, the district is not immune to the threat of the infection. Thus, the lockdown would continue till May 3 with minimum relaxation.

The district has already initiated relaxations and mandatory guidelines have to be implemented, he further said.

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March 24,2020

Mangaluru, Mar 24: Amidst uncertainty and fear in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the prices of vegetables and fruits have shot up in the coastal city of Mangaluru.

Fearing complete closure of shops, people arrived at the market to purchase vegetables in large numbers today morning.

Encashing the situation, the traders too increased the prices of vegetables and fruits.

Tomatoes that were sold for Rs 15 to 20 per kg in the last few days were sold at Rs 40 to 60 per kg. 

Long yard beans were sold at Rs 50 per kg while okra fetched Rs 60 per kg in the market. Onions were sold at Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg.

Owing to rumours, the price of chicken was reduced to Rs 50 per kg. On Monday, it had increased to Rs 70 to Rs 80 per kg.

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