**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4417, concerning the spread of fake news about national leaders (specifically Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel) on online and social media platforms. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting acknowledges awareness of the issue and outlines the actions taken to address it.
The government relies on the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, enacted under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Part III of these rules mandates a Code of Ethics for publishers of news and current affairs, requiring adherence to the Programme Code of the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995, and the Norms of Journalistic Conduct under the Press Council Act, 1978. A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism is in place to ensure compliance. These codes prohibit the dissemination of inaccurate, misleading, false, or half-true content.
Furthermore, Part II of the IT Rules, administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), obligates intermediaries to prevent the spread of patently false, untrue, or misleading information.
To proactively combat fake news related to the central government, the Press Information Bureau (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) established a Fact Check Unit (FCU) in November 2019. The FCU verifies the authenticity of news through authorized sources within government ministries and departments and publishes correct information on its social media platforms.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for information dissemination and regulation of broadcasting.
Gandhi: Refers to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement.
Nehru: Refers to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
Patel: Refers to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, an influential figure in the Indian National Congress and instrumental in integrating princely states into India.
Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021: A set of rules notified under the Information Technology Act, 2000, to regulate online intermediaries and digital media platforms.
Information Technology Act, 2000: An Act of the Indian Parliament dealing with information technology, cybercrime, and data security.
Cable Television Networks Act, 1995: An act to regulate the operation of cable television networks in India.
Press Council Act, 1978: An act to establish a Press Council to preserve the freedom of the press and maintain and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4417
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025)
FAKE NEWS ABOUT NATIONAL LEADERS
4417. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the malicious lies and fake news about our
National Leaders including Gandhi, Nehru and Patel through various online and
social media platforms;
(b) if so, the reasons for not initiating legitimate actions for spreading false news and
gossip about our National Leaders; and
(c) the details of the criminal actions taken against any person or media for spreading
lies and false news about our National Leaders?ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (c):
The Government has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital
Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, under the Information Technology Act, 2000, (dated 25th
February, 2021).
Part-III of these Rules inter alia provides for Code of Ethics to be followed by publishers of news
& current affairs. It includes adherence to the Programme Code laid down under the Cable
Television Networks Act, 1995, and the Norms of Journalistic Conduct under the Press Council
Act, 1978.
A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for adherence to the Code of Ethics is also provided
under the IT Rules.
The Programme Code and Norms of Journalistic Conduct, inter alia, require publishers not to
disseminate content that is inaccurate, misleading, false, or half-truths.
Also, Part II of the IT Rules, administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY), inter alia, casts an obligation on intermediaries to prevent the
dissemination of information that is patently false, untrue, or misleading in nature.
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.
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