Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting addressed concerns about manipulated videos and misinformation on social media, detailing existing legal mechanisms and actions taken. These include adherence to journalistic standards for print media, program codes for television media, and ethics codes for digital media. The government also utilizes a Fact Check Unit and Section 69A of the IT Act to combat fake news.
Key Points / Main Content:
Legal Provisions to Counter Misinformation:
* Print Media: Newspapers must adhere to the Press Council of India's (PCI) Norms of Journalistic Conduct, which prohibits fake, defamatory, and misleading news. The PCI can investigate violations and take actions such as warning or censuring the responsible parties.
* Television Media: TV channels must adhere to the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, prohibiting obscene, defamatory, or false content. The Cable Television Network Amendment Rules, 2021, establish a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for code violations.
* Digital Media: Publishers of news and current affairs on digital media must adhere to the Code of Ethics under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021).
Government Initiatives:
* Fact Check Unit (FCU): Established under the Press Information Bureau in November 2019 to verify the authenticity of news related to the Central Government and publish correct information on social media.
* Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000: Empowers the Government to block websites, social media handles, and posts in the interest of national sovereignty, integrity, defense, security, and public order.
Impact Analysis
Print Media:
* Impact: Newspapers are required to comply with the PCI's Norms of Journalistic Conduct to avoid penalties.
* Action Required: Ensure all published content adheres to journalistic standards, avoiding fake, defamatory, or misleading news.
Television Media:
* Impact: TV channels must adhere to the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995 to avoid penalties.
* Action Required: Ensure broadcasted content complies with the Programme Code, avoiding obscene, defamatory, or false content.
Digital Media Publishers:
* Impact: Publishers of news and current affairs on digital media must follow the Code of Ethics outlined in the IT Rules, 2021.
* Action Required: Implement measures to ensure compliance with the Code of Ethics, including verifying information and avoiding the spread of misinformation.
General Public:
* Impact: Affected by misinformation and benefits from the government's efforts to combat fake news.
* Action Required: Be aware of potential misinformation and utilize the FCU and other government resources to verify information before sharing it.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The Indian government ministry responsible for information dissemination and broadcasting regulations.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Shri Manickam Tagore B: Member of Parliament who raised the question.
Press Council of India: A statutory body in India that governs the conduct of the press.
Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995: Indian legislation regulating cable television networks.
Cable Television Network Amendment Rules, 2021: Amendments to the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, providing a grievance redressal mechanism.
Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021: Indian regulations governing digital media ethics and intermediary responsibilities.
Press Information Bureau: The Indian government's nodal agency for information dissemination to the media.
Information Technology Act, 2000: The primary law governing cybercrime and electronic commerce in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1824
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025)
CASES OF MANIPULATED VIDEOS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
1824. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of the number of reported cases involving the
circulation of false data, fake news or manipulated videos on social
and digital media platforms during the last three years along with the
action taken in each case;
(b) the details of mechanisms currently exist to verify and act upon the
dissemination of false statistical or economic data particularly when
such data is used to mislead the public or influence policy debates;
(c) the details of misinformation and deliberately targeted news
content intended to defame individuals, institutions or political groups
and the legal recourse exists for victims of such targeted
misinformation campaigns;
(d) whether there is any independent oversight on the functioning of
Government-authorised fact-checking bodies to ensure that they do
not suppress dissent or critical journalism under the pretext of curbing
fake news and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether there is any specific strategy to detect and counter
deepfakes, AI-generated false content and digitally altered narratives
that spread misinformation during elections or communal tensions?ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (e): 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 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.
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