The Centre has rolled out a multi-tier mechanism to curb fake news. Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan told Lok Sabha that the government is taking all possible steps to curb fake news with the available statutory and institutional mechanisms on various media platforms. Under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the government issues necessary orders to block websites, social media handles, and posts in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, and public order. Newspapers have been asked to adhere to the Press Council of India’s `Norms of Journalistic Conduct’. These norms restrain the publication of fake, defamatory, and misleading news. TV channels are required to adhere to the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. Digital media has been asked to adhere to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The IT rules provide for a Code of Ethics along with a three-level institutional mechanism for redressal of grievances related to the violation of the Code of Ethics by such publishers. Even the Community Radio Stations have been asked to adhere to rules and regulations. CRSs are required to constitute an Advisory and Content Committee comprising members from the local community to decide upon the content being broadcast on the community radio. During Operation Sindoor, the Centre issued directions to block 400 URLs on digital media. They were peddling false, misleading, anti-India news, and communally sensitive content primarily from Pakistan-based social media accounts. The government’s decision is a welcome step. Fake news has ruined the lives of many saner individuals, families, officials, and students across the country, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. Social media page admins who double up as journalists have wreaked havoc. These so-called journalists can go to any extent to ruin the image of any respected person. They can use filthy language, broadcast unverified facts, and yet get away because they have millions of followers. Their only qualification is owning a smartphone and a microphone. For them, a degree in journalism is a waste of time. Having said so, the government needs to go beyond the guidelines. Strict measures need to be taken on the ground to curb the fake news. Just an FIR or arrest will not help. Tougher laws are the need of the hour. The government should frame a new law wherein disseminating fake news or ruining the reputation of anyone should be made a non-bailable offence. The fake news peddlers should be named and shamed. The government will be well advised to get them blacklisted. Their passport and other documents should be withheld so that a message will go out that the government is serious about curbing the fake news.
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