In order to curb the menace of fake news, government Monday brought amendments in the accreditation rules for journalists. The journalists if found repeatedly peddling fake news, their accreditation would be cancelled permanently.
According to the sources, the change in guidelines have prescribed that in case the allegations of propagation of fake news by journalist is confirmed then the accreditation would be cancelled for a period of six months. The second time offenders would face a one year ban while the accreditation of would stand cancelled permanently for the third violation.
The press release to this effect have informed that fake news complaints in print media would be referred to the Press Council of India (PCI). If the incidence relates to electronic media comes up the matter would be sent to the News Broad Casters Association (NBA) for confirmation.
The decision on the complaint’s veracity is expected to be taken by these agencies within 15 days period. According to the PTI report, “Once the complaint is registered for determination of fake news, the accreditation of the journalist, whoever ‘created and/or propagated’ the fake news, will be suspended till the determination regarding the fake news is made, said the ministry”
The MIB would seek the help of the Accreditation Committee of Press Information Bureau in validating the request by various news agencies for accreditation. The accreditation committee also have members of NBA and PCA in it. The ministry’s statement further adds that the committee while scrutinizing the accreditation requests would check whether the ‘Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ and ‘Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards’, prescribed by the PCI and NBA respectively, are followed by the journalists as part of their functioning.
The journalists seeking accreditation have to abide by the guidelines of PCI and NBA.