NEW DELHI: Even as the government announced amendments in the guidelines for accreditation of print and electronic or TV journalists outlining punishments for breaches on account of fake news, the intention is being termed by stakeholders as debatably honourable but an indirect way to muzzle media freedom.

On Monday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issued a statement stating that noticing increasing instances of fake news in various mediums, including print and electronic, the guidelines for accreditation of journalists have been amended with penalties and punishment factored in.

“On receiving any complaints of instances of fake news, the same would get referred to the Press Council of India (PCI) if it pertains to print media and to News Broadcasters Association (NBA) of India if it relates to electronic media for determination of the news item being fake or not,” the MIB statement said, adding the process would be completed within 15 days.

Once the complaint is registered for determination of fake news, the correspondent/journalist who created and/or propagated the fake news will, if accredited with the government, have the accreditation suspended till such time the determination regarding the fake news is made by the regulating agencies.

The Accreditation Committee of the Press Information Bureau (PIB, the government’s PR arm), which consists of representatives of both PCI and NBA, shall be consulted for validation of any accreditation request of any news media agency. The punishment for peddling fake news ranges from suspension of accreditation for a period of six months in the case of first violation to permanent cancellation on third violation.

While examining the requests seeking accreditation, the regulatory agencies will examine whether the 'Norms of Journalistic Conduct' and 'Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards' prescribed by the PCI and NBA, respectively are adhered to by journalists as part of their functioning. It would be obligatory for journalists to abide by these guidelines, the government statement said.

However, a section of the news media dubbed the government move as an indirect way to muzzle media freedom in the run-up to the general elections in the country either in late 2018 or early 2019. A meeting of various journalists’ organisations is likely to be held on Tuesday in the capital to take stock of the situation.

The present BJP-led government in New Delhi completes its five-year term mid-2019.  

ALSO READ:

MIB nod to TV channels on hold till TRAI uplink, downlink suggestions