This document summarizes the Indian government's efforts to curb fake news across various media platforms, as articulated in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1747 on July 30, 2025. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting utilizes existing statutory and institutional mechanisms to address the spread of misinformation.
For print media, the Press Council of India (PCI) enforces the Norms of Journalistic Conduct, which prohibit the publication of fake, defamatory, and misleading news. The PCI investigates alleged violations and can issue warnings, admonishments, or censures.
Television media is regulated by the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, which mandates adherence to a Programme Code that prohibits obscene, defamatory, deliberately false, and suggestive content. The Cable Television Network Amendment Rules, 2021, establish a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism to address violations of this code.
Digital media publishers of news and current affairs are governed by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021), which include a Code of Ethics. A Fact Check Unit (FCU) within the Press Information Bureau (PIB) was established in November 2019 to verify the authenticity of news related to the central government. The FCU disseminates correct information on its social media platforms after verification from authorized sources within government ministries and departments. Furthermore, the government utilizes Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, to block websites, social media handles, and posts that threaten the sovereignty, integrity, defense, security of the State, or public order of India.
Key Entities Referenced
SMT. SANDHYA RAY: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question about fake news.
DR. L. MURUGAN: The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs who provided the answer to the question.
Press Council of India PCI: Statutory body in India that governs the conduct of the press and can take action against newspapers violating journalistic norms.
Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995: Indian legislation regulating television broadcasting, including content standards.
Cable Television Network Amendment Rules 2021: Amendment to the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995 providing a grievance redressal mechanism.
Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021 IT Rules, 2021: Indian regulations for digital media requiring adherence to a Code of Ethics.
Press Information Bureau: The central agency of the Government of India for disseminating information to the media.
Information Technology Act 2000: Indian legislation governing cyberlaw and electronic transactions, including provisions for blocking websites.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1747
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30-07-2025
FAKE NEWS
1747. SMT. SANDHYA RAY:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the steps being taken by the Government to curb fake news; and
(b) the details of the steps being taken against those who promote such fake news?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) and (b): The Government takes all possible steps to curb fake news with the available
statutory and institutional mechanisms on various media platforms, which 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) provides 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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