New Delhi: The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry on Tuesday withdrew its contentious press release on fake news after a directive from the prime minister's office (PMO).
"PIB Press Release titled 'Guidelines for Accreditation of Journalists amended to regulate Fake News' issued on 02 April 2018 stands withdrawn," the ministry said in a brief statement.
Taking note of condemnation from various quarters, the PMO had ordered the ministry to withdraw the release, holding that the decision on what amounts to fake news should be left to press bodies.
According to official sources, the PMO was of the opinion that the government should not interfere in the matter.
The ministry had on Monday announced measures to contain fake news saying the accreditation of a journalist could be permanently cancelled if the scribe is found generating or propagating fake news.
The ministry did not define 'fake news' but said complaints about it in print would be referred for determination to the Press Council of India, with suspected cases on television going to the National Broadcasters Association.
The ministry did not mention digital media, although I&B minister Smriti Irani had earlier said the government would try to frame rules for digital media too.
Journalists and opposition parties had described the new rule as an effort by the Modi government to control the press ahead of general elections due next year.
"What is (the) guarantee that these guidelines will check fake news?" opposition Congress party leader Ahmed Patel asked in a tweet."Or is it an attempt to prevent genuine reporters from reporting news uncomfortable to the establishment?"
The government's decision also set off alarm bells in media organisations. Shekhar Gupta, a veteran journalist, said it was "a breathtaking assault on mainstream media", and urged journalists to resist it."This is an attack on the freedom of the press. The draconian order could be misused against genuine journalists," said Gautam Lahiri, president of the Press Club of India."The government should immediately withdraw this order," he said.
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