Parliament Question: Steps to curb the spread of fake news

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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