**Executive Summary**
This document presents the government's response to Unstarred Question No. 2914 regarding the impact of misleading advertisements and fake news on digital platforms. It highlights measures taken to strengthen monitoring, regulatory mechanisms, and guidelines to protect viewers, especially children, from harmful content. The response is to be delivered on December 17, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Awareness:** The Government of India acknowledges the increasing prevalence of fake, false, and misleading information and advertisements on digital media platforms.
* **Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:**
* These rules, notified under the Information Technology Act, 2000, include a Code of Ethics for publishers of news and current affairs.
* This Code of Ethics requires adherence to the Programme Code 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 is established for adherence to this Code of Ethics.
* Part II of the IT Rules obligates intermediaries like YouTube and Facebook to prevent the dissemination of patently false, untrue, or misleading information.
* **Fact Check Unit (FCU):**
* Established under the Press Information Bureau in November 2019.
* It verifies the authenticity of news related to the Central Government.
* The FCU posts correct information on social media platforms after verification from authorized government sources.
* **Blocking Powers:** Under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Government can block websites, social media handles, and posts that threaten the sovereignty and integrity of India, its defense, state security, or public order.
* **Consumer Protection:**
* The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has notified 'Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022' on June 9, 2022.
* These guidelines aim to curb misleading advertisements and protect consumers.
* Complaints regarding violations, including false and misleading advertisements, are addressed under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Digital Media Platforms (e.g., YouTube, Facebook)
* **Impact:** Required to prevent the dissemination of false, untrue, or misleading information. Subject to government blocking orders if content threatens national security or public order.
* **Action Required:** Implement mechanisms to identify and prevent the spread of misinformation; comply with government blocking orders.
**Stakeholder:** Publishers of News and Current Affairs
* **Impact:** Must adhere to the Code of Ethics outlined in the IT Rules, including the Programme Code and Norms of Journalistic Conduct. Subject to a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism.
* **Action Required:** Ensure content adheres to ethical standards; address grievances raised through the redressal mechanism.
**Stakeholder:** Consumers
* **Impact:** Protected by guidelines aimed at curbing misleading advertisements. Have recourse to address complaints about misleading advertisements under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
* **Action Required:** Report misleading advertisements; utilize the Consumer Protection Act for redressal.
**Stakeholder:** Government of India
* **Impact:** Responsible for monitoring and regulating digital platforms and news publishers. Must enforce the IT Rules and Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements.
* **Action Required:** Continue monitoring digital platforms and news publishers, enforcing regulations, and addressing complaints.
Key Entities Referenced
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: Rules notified under the Information Technology Act, 2000, providing a framework for regulating digital media content and intermediaries.
Information Technology Act, 2000: The primary law under which the IT Rules of 2021 are framed, providing a legal framework for e-commerce and cyber activities in India.
Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Law addressing complaints about misleading advertisements, providing a framework for consumer protection.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The primary government body responsible for the policy questions related to the impact of misleading advertisements.
Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022: Guidelines issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) under the Department of Consumer Affairs, focusing on preventing misleading advertisements.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2914
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025)
IMPACT OF MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS
2914. SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has examined the impact of misleading advertisements and fake
news disseminated through digital platforms;
(b) the details of action being taken by the Government to strengthen monitoring and
regulatory mechanisms in this regard; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to introduce any new guidelines to protect viewers
especially children from harmful content?ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (c): The Government of India is cognisant of the increasing instances of fake, false and
misleading information and misleading advertisements across digital media platforms.
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 provided
under the IT Rules.
Also, Part II of the IT Rules, inter alia, casts an obligation on intermediaries like YouTube
and Facebook 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 the 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
The Central Consumer Protection authority (CCPA) under the Department of Consumer
Affairs has notified ‘Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and
Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022’ on 9th June, 2022.
The guidelines are aimed at curbing misleading advertisements and protecting the consumers,
who may be exploited or affected by such advertisements.
Complaints relating to violation of the guidelines, including false and misleading
advertisements, are addressed under Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
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