Fake news menace: Journalists found guilty may be banned for life by govt

Congress leader Ahmed Patel, among others, questioned the government move to clamp down on fake news, citing the possibility of the new rule being misused against some

In a major crackdown on the menace of fake news, the Narendra Modi-led central government on Monday said such an offence could lead to the accreditation of journalists found guilty of spreading false news being permanently cancelled.

The decision comes at a time when other countries have also become vigilant about the spread of fake news, especially after the recent expose of the Facebook Cambridge Analytica episode, which revealed instances of meddling with elections through unauthorised access to user data and spread of fake news. Amid all this, the Malaysian government recently proposed the Anti-Fake News Bill 2018, which will give the government sweeping powers to penalise those found guilty of creating or spreading fake news, along with a jail term of up to six years and fines as high as $130,000, according to CNN.

In India, meanwhile, the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, led by Smriti Irani, on Monday laid down the amended guidelines in a press release. Citing an increase in “instances of fake across various mediums, including print and electronic media,” the new guidelines propose that the government would permanently cancel the accreditation of journalists found guilty or creating or disseminating fake news.

The guidelines

The guidelines issued by the Union Information & Broasting ministry on Monday state that if the publication or telecast of fake news is confirmed, the accreditation of the journalist behind it would be suspended for a period of six months in the case of first violation. In the event of a second violation, the accreditation would be suspended for a period of one year. In the case of a third violation, however, his or her accreditation would be cancelled permanently.

Click Here To Read More : Fake News