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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3288
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20-03-2026
STEPS TO CURB THE SPREAD OF FAKE NEWS
3288. SHRI MASTHAN RAO YADAV BEEDHA:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) the initiatives taken by Government to curb fake news in the country;
(b) the platforms found to be involved in the spread of fake news;
(c) whether any steps have been taken to regulate or control the spread of fake news on
such platforms; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (d):
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 suggestiveinnuendos 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 and
publishers of online curated content, the Information Technology (Intermediary
Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules, 2021) provides for a
Code of Ethics along with a three level institutional mechanism for redressal of grievance
relating to violation of Code of Ethics by such publishers.
Apart from the above, a Fact Check Unit (FCU) functions under Press Information Bureau,
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. FCU identifies fake news relating to the Central
Government. After verifying the authenticity of news from authorized sources, FCU
publishes correct information on its social media platforms.
During Operation Sindoor, the PIB Fact Check Unit actively countered misinformation and
hostile narratives circulating online by promptly fact-checking false claims, providing
authentic information, and ensuring accurate public communication, thereby helping prevent
the spread of misleading and anti-India narratives. Ministry also issued directions for
blocking of over 1,400 URLs on digital media during Operation Sindoor. The content of
these URLs included false, misleading, anti-India news content, communally sensitive
content primarily from Pakistan-based social media accounts and inciteful content against
Indian Armed Forces.
Under 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.
This Ministry also issues Advisories from time to time to private satellite TV channels for
adherence of the Programme Code and Advertising Code under the Cable Television
Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
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