On April 2, 2018, the I&B Ministry said that the accreditation of a journalist could be permanently cancelled if the scribe is found generating or propagating fake news.
As per the amended guidelines, 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 ministry had said.
The move soon attracted a huge outcry in the media industry. Some journalist even decided to call a meeting calling the move undemocratic. Here are some of the comments by veteran journalists:
Make no mistake: this is a breathtaking assault on mainstream media. It’s a moment like Rajiv Gandhi’s anti-defamation bill. All media shd bury their differences and resist this. https://t.co/pyvgymhIkF
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) April 2, 2018
Senior journalist Suhasini Haider said:
“But those who are penalised by today’s order, by definition, can only be those who are accredited and they can be penalised on the basis of a “complaint”, not a final decision. I can’t imagine that’s fair, Ma’am.”
Journalist Barkha Dutt also voiced her concerns tweeting:
Something Trumpian in the air. This #FakeNews fight where the Media is the Enemy. While whats app forwards continue to send ‘postcards’ from an alternative reality 😎 or was it called ‘alternative facts’
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) April 3, 2018
The Congress, the CPM and many others raised questions over the move and said the government was trying to muzzle press freedom and suppress uncomfortable news about the government.
Amid this escalating issue, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stepped in and advised the I&B Ministry to withdraw the order and let the Press Council of India handle fake news issue.
After PMO’s intervention, I&B Ministry withdrew its PR. Also, another clarification notice was published stating:
“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said, “This is to inform that the Press release on Fake news regulation issued yesterday i.e., 02 April 2018 stands withdrawn.”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, Minister Smriti Irani tweeted about the debate regarding the accreditation of the journalists. Here is what she said:
PIB Accreditation Guidelines asking Press Council of India & News Broadcasters Association to define & act against ‘fake news’ have generated debate. Several journalists & organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same. 1/2
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 3, 2018
.@MIB_India is more than happy to engage with journalist body or organisation/s wanting to give suggestions so that together we can fight the menace of ‘fake news’ & uphold ethical journalism. Interested journalists and/or organisations may feel free to meet me at @MIB_India. 2/2
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 3, 2018
