Press Information Bureau Withdraws ‘Fake News’ Directive

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India issued a terse statement today to withdraw the guidelines for accreditation of journalists that it had issued on Monday to regulate “Fake News.”

“PIB Press release titled ‘Guidelines for Accreditation of Journalists amended to regulate Fake News’ issued on 02 April 2018 stands withdrawn,” the statement said.

Earlier, PIB had said that it wants to regulate the fake news as it has noticed increasing instances of such false stories in various mediums including print and electronic media.

PIB Press release titled “Guidelines for accreditation of Journalists amended to regulate #FakeNews” stands withdrawn: https://t.co/Fyqz3JWCkZ

— PIB India (@PIB_India) April 3, 2018

It is believed that the PIB has decided to change its decision at the instance of Prime Minister Office (PMO), as it is widely reported that press freedom in India is under increasing threat.

As it will be a complex exercise to separate out fake news from the real news, the government’s move to check fake news may be considered as another attempt to curb the freedom of the press.