New Delhi, April 3:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reversed the circular issued by Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry in regard to fake news. The I&B Ministry has withdrawn its Fake News order which could permanently cancel the accreditation of a journalist,  as a stringent measure to contain the menace, if the scribe is found generating or propagating fake news. Earlier, Union Cabinet Minister of Textiles and Information & Broadcasting, Smriti Irani, had tweeted that, "MIB (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) India is more than happy to engage with journalist body or organisation/s wanting to give suggestions so that together we can fight the menace of ‘fake news’ & uphold ethical journalism."

As per the amended guidelines that were issued regarding the order, if the publication or telecast of fake news is confirmed, the accreditation of that journalist would be suspended for a period of six months in the first violation and for one year in case of a second violation.  The I&B has stated in a release that in case of a third violation, the journalist's accreditation would be cancelled permanently.

In a tweet by I&B Ministry and Union Cabinet Minister of Textiles and Information & Broadcasting, Smriti Irani had said that:

The second tweet went on to mention that journalists could meet I&B Minister Smriti Irani regarding the issue. Union Minister Smriti Irani invited interested journalists and told them to feel free to meet her with any suggestions they may have on how to tackle 'Fake News':

Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed the order to be withdrawn, following which the circular has been withdrawn by the I&B ministry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the issue has led to the withdrawal of the order. The debate around fake news is expected to get intense with this episode. The Congress had accused government of curbing the freedom of press under the garb of fake news regulation, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's timely intervention ensured the withdrawal of the circular by the ministry.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 03, 2018 01:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).