Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting addressed concerns regarding misinformation across media platforms. The government utilizes Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 to block websites and social media handles to maintain national integrity and public order. A Fact Check Unit (FCU) was established in November 2019 under the Press Information Bureau to verify news related to the Central Government. The government does not authorize private entities to conduct fact checks.
Key Points / Main Content:
Government Actions Against Misinformation:
* Websites, social media handles, and posts spreading fake news are blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, to protect national interests.
Fact Checking Unit (FCU):
* An FCU was established in November 2019 under the Press Information Bureau to verify news related to the Central Government.
* The FCU verifies news authenticity from authorized sources in government ministries and departments.
* The FCU posts verified, correct information on its social media platforms.
* The Government of India has not authorized any private person to carry out fact check.
Legal Provisions and Regulations:
* Print Media: Newspapers must adhere to the Norms of Journalistic Conduct by the Press Council of India (PCI), which prohibits fake, defamatory, and misleading news. Violations may result in warnings, admonishments, or censure.
* Television Media: TV channels must adhere to the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, which prohibits obscene, defamatory, and false content. The Cable Television Network Amendment Rules, 2021, provides a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism.
* Digital Media: Publishers of news and current affairs on digital media are governed by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which includes a Code of Ethics.
Impact Analysis:
Stakeholders: Citizens
* Impact: Citizens are protected from misinformation through government monitoring and blocking of harmful content.
* Action Required: To rely on verified information from the FCU and adhere to ethical guidelines when sharing information online.
Stakeholders: News Organizations (Print, TV, Digital)
* Impact: News organizations are held accountable for the content they publish or broadcast and must adhere to established codes of conduct and ethics.
* Action Required: To ensure accuracy and verification of news, adhere to journalistic norms, program codes, and ethics codes, and address grievances through established mechanisms.
Stakeholders: Government
* Impact: The government is responsible for identifying and blocking misinformation, maintaining public order, and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
* Action Required: To continue monitoring media platforms, verifying information through the FCU, and enforcing regulations to combat fake news.
Key Entities Referenced
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of fake news and misinformation.
Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000: A section of the Information Technology Act, 2000, used by the Government of India to block websites and social media content in the interest of national security and public order.
Press Information Bureau: An organization under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. Its Fact Check Unit (FCU) verifies the authenticity of news related to the Central Government.
Press Council of India PCI: An organization that upholds journalistic standards and ethics in India, responsible for addressing violations of journalistic conduct in print media.
Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995: An act regulating television broadcasting in India, including adherence to a Programme Code.
Cable Television Network Amendment Rules, 2021: Rules amending the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, establishing 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: Rules providing a Code of Ethics for publishers of news and current affairs on digital media.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The ministry in the Government of India responsible for information dissemination and broadcasting regulations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2824
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
ACTION AGAINST MISINFORMATION
2824. SHRI KRISHNA PRASAD TENNETI:
SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR:
SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
a) the details of the total number of websites, news channels, social media accounts and
other media forms that have been taken down/suspended due to them being notified as
fake news/misinformation by Fact Checking Units (FCUs) across the country, State-
wise and especially those arising from Andhra Pradesh;
b) the details of the total amount of fines collected from organisations/corporate entities
and/or individuals who participate in spreading fake news/misinformation during the
last five years, State-wise especially from Andhra Pradesh;
c) whether the Government authorises private FCU’s to identify and notify relevant
authorities regarding misinformation/fake news being spread;
d) if so, the details of private Fact Checking Units (FCUs) registered, recognised and/or
authorised to identify fake news/misinformation during the last five years across the
country, State-wise particularly in Andhra Pradesh;
e) whether the Government has implemented any institutional framework/SOPs to verify
and grade private FCUs from security point of view, if so, the details thereof and if not,
the reasons therefor; and
f) whether the Government has undertaken any works to provide cybersecurity to fact
checking units, if so, the details thereof?ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (f): Fake news and misinformation has potential to damage our social fabric.
Under the Section 69A of the Information Technology 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.
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.
Government of India has not authorized any private person to carry out fact check.
Other legal provisions to address misinformation include:
1. 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.2. 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.
3. 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) provides for a Code of Ethics.
****