Date: 2025-07-30Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Government enforces norms of journalistic conduct through PCI, programme code and IT rules to curb fake and defamatory content across print, tv & digital platforms
**Policy Summary: Government Measures to Curb Fake News and Misinformation**
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is actively enforcing norms of journalistic conduct across print, television, and digital media platforms to combat the spread of fake news, misinformation, and inappropriate content. This enforcement is carried out through the Press Council of India (PCI), the Programme Code, and the Information Technology (IT) Rules.
**Key Legal Provisions and Mechanisms:**
* **Print Media:** Newspapers are required to adhere to the Norms of Journalistic Conduct established by the PCI, which prohibits the publication of fake, defamatory, and misleading news. The PCI investigates alleged violations and can issue warnings, admonishments, or censures.
* **Television Media:** TV channels must comply with the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, which prohibits the broadcast of obscene, defamatory, and false content. The Cable Television Network Amendment Rules, 2021, establish a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism to address code violations.
* **Digital Media:** The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) provide a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers. A Fact Check Unit (FCU) under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) was established in November 2019 to verify news related to the Central Government and posts correct information on social media. Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, allows the government to block websites, social media handles, and posts that threaten India's sovereignty, integrity, defense, security, or public order.
* **OTT Platforms:** Part III of the IT Rules, 2021, outlines a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms. These platforms are obligated to refrain from transmitting content prohibited by law, undertake age-based self-classification of content, and implement safeguards to restrict access to age-inappropriate content for children. Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000, allows the government to notify intermediaries about unlawful content for removal or disablement.
**Enforcement and Actions Taken:**
The government issued an advisory on February 19, 2025, to OTT platforms and their self-regulatory bodies to ensure adherence to Indian laws and the Code of Ethics under the IT Rules, 2021. As a result of these efforts, 43 OTT platforms have been blocked after consultations with relevant Ministries.
**Source:**
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L Murgan, in Lok Sabha on July 30, 2025.
**Contact:**
* PIB Delhi
* Dharmendra Tewari
* Navin Sreejith
* Release ID: 2150335
Key Entities Referenced
Press Council of India (PCI): An organization in India that enforces norms of journalistic conduct and addresses violations of ethical standards in print media.
Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995: An Indian law that regulates television broadcasting and includes provisions for a Programme Code that channels must adhere to.
Cable Television Network Amendment Rules, 2021: An amendment to the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act that provides a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for violations of the Programme Code by TV channels.
Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021): A set of rules in India that provides a code of ethics for digital news publishers and publishers of online curated content, including OTT platforms.
Press Information Bureau (PIB): A government agency in India that serves as a central medium for disseminating information to the media and the public, including operating a Fact Check Unit (FCU).
Fact Check Unit (FCU): A unit set up under the Press Information Bureau to verify the authenticity of news related to the Central Government and combat fake news.
Information Act 2000: An Indian law providing legal framework for transactions carried out by means of electronic data interchange and other means of electronic communication.
L Murgan: Union Minister of State for Information Broadcasting, who submitted information to Lok Sabha regarding actions taken against OTT platforms.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government enforces norms of journalistic conduct
through PCI, programme code and IT rules to curb
fake and defamatory content across print, tv & digital
platforms
After due consultation with relevant Ministries, 43
OTT platforms have been blocked so far for
spreading fake news, misinformation & hosting
inappropriate content
Posted On: 30 JUL 2025 6:46PM by PIB Delhi
Government has a sovereign duty to tackle fake news and misinformation.
Legal Provisions to counter misinformation include
· Print Media: Newspapers have to adhere to “Norms of Journalistic Conduct” brought out by the
Press Council of India (PCI). These norms inter-alia restrain publication of fake/ defamatory/ misleading
news. The Council holds inquiry into alleged violations of the norms, as per section 14 of the Act, and
may warn, admonish or censure the newspaper, editors, journalists, etc. as the case may be.
· Television media: TV channels are required to adhere to the Programme Code under the Cable
Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, which, inter alia, provides that content which contains
anything obscene, defamatory, deliberate, false and suggestive innuendos and half-truths is not broadcast.
Cable Television Network (Amendment) Rules, 2021, provides for a three-tier grievance redressal
mechanism to look into the complaints relating to the violation of the Code by the TV channels.
Appropriate action is taken where violation of Programme Code is found.
· Digital media: For the publishers of news and current affairs on digital media, the Information
Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021)
provide for a Code of Ethics.
A Fact Check Unit (FCU) has been set up under Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting in November, 2019 to check fake news relating to the Central Government. After verifying the
authenticity of news from authorized sources in Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, FCU posts
correct information on its social media platforms.
Under the Section 69A of the Information Act 2000, Government issues necessary orders to block websites,
social media handles and posts in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security
of the State, and public order.
The Government has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media, Ethics
Code) Rules, 2021 on 25.02.2021 under IT Act, 2000.
· Part-III of the rules provides for a Code of Ethics for digital news publishers and publishers of
online curated content (OTT platforms).· OTT platforms are under obligation to not transmit any content which is prohibited by law for
the time being in force.
· OTT platforms are under obligation to undertake age-based self-classification of content, based
on general guidelines provided in the Schedule to the Rules which contain the provisions related to
depiction relating to nudity and sex.
· The OTT platforms are also under obligation to put in place adequate safeguards for restricting
age-inappropriate content for children with adequate access control measures. Besides, Section
79(3)(b) of IT Act, 2000 provides for notification by appropriate Governments of unlawful act or
content to the intermediaries for removing/disabling access to such content.
Government has issued advisory dated 19.02.2025 to OTT platforms and Self-regulatory Bodies of OTT
platforms for ensuring adherence to Indian Laws and the Code of Ethics laid down under the IT Rules, 2021
while hosting of content on their platforms.
After due consultation with relevant Ministries, 43 OTT platforms have been blocked so far.
This information is submitted by Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Dr. L
Murgan in Lok Sabha today.
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Dharmendra Tewari/ Navin Sreejith
(Release ID: 2150335)