PM Modi Orders Withdrawal of Smriti Irani’s Fake News Directive

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Apr 03, 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered the withdrawal of a fake news directive by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, saying that the matter must be addressed by the Press Council of India, reported ANI.

 

The withdrawal, on Tuesday, 3 April, comes just a day after the circular was issued by Smriti Irani’s ministry.

A few minutes before the prime minister’s directive, Irani took to Twitter to state that the directive against fake news has generated debate and that the I&B Ministry was “more than happy” to engage with journalist bodies.

 

The circular issued on Monday, 2 April, said the accreditation of a journalist could be permanently cancelled if the scribe is found generating or propagating fake news.

As per the amended guidelines for 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 cancelled permanently, the information and broadcasting ministry said in a release.