Parliamentary panel: Define fake news, amend penal provisions to take action

A parliamentary panel has asked the government to explore the feasibility of amending the penal provisions for publishing or telecasting fake news to include cancelling the accreditation of the journalist or the creator found guilty of indulging in such an act, according to a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, chaired by BJP member Nishikant Dubey, also asked the government to define the term 'fake news' and incorporate suitable clauses in the existing regulatory framework for the media to combat misinformation and protect free speech.

The report on 'Review of Mechanism to curb Fake News' also asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to consult all the stakeholders while arriving at the definition of fake news. The Committee also said that having a fact-checking mechanism and internal ombudsman in media bodies and the relevant stakeholders," the Committee said.