Govt Strengthens Framework Against Fake News

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• The Information and Broadcasting Minister said that the government has strengthened the framework to combat fake news and deep fakes across media platforms.

About

• Fake news is known as information that is false or misleading and presented as news. 
• Deep Fakes are digital media — video, audio, and images, edited and manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
  • They incorporate hyper-realistic digital falsification and can be used to damage reputations, fabricate evidence, and undermine trust in democratic institutions. 

India’s Disinformation Challenge

• Growing Internet Penetration: India is on track to surpass 900 million internet users, making it highly vulnerable to disinformation without appropriate regulations.
• Diverse Landscape, High Risk: India’s political, social, and linguistic diversity creates fertile ground for manipulated narratives, voter influence, and social unrest.
• Decline of Legacy Media Trust: Public trust in traditional news sources is eroding.
  • Citizens increasingly rely on social media for news.
  • Unverified information spreads rapidly, often trusted because it comes from friends or family.
• Youth at Risk: India’s youth demographic is increasingly exposed to misinformation. Many lack digital literacy and media consumption skills.

Legal and Regulatory Landscape

• Constitutional Limits: Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech.
  • Article 19(2) allows restrictions for defamation, morality, and public order.
  • The need to balance free speech (Article 19(1)(a)) with reasonable restrictions (Article 19(2)) is challenging.
• Electronic Media: TV channels follow the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
  • It prohibits content that is obscene, defamatory, deliberately false, or that contains suggestive innuendos and half-truths.
  • Rules framed under the act establish a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism to address violations.
    • Level I: Self-regulation by the broadcasters
    • Level II: Regulation by broadcasters’ self-regulatory bodies
    • Level III: Oversight mechanism by the Central Government.
• Digital Media: Code of Ethics has been framed under IT Rules 2021 for publishers of news and current affairs on digital media;
  • Intermediaries must prevent users from sharing misinformation or information which is patently false and untrue or misleading in nature.
  • Grievance Officer is appointed by platforms to handle complaints related to false or defamatory content within a fixed timeframe.
• Print Media: Norms of Journalistic Conduct issued by Press Council of India restrain the publication of fake, defamatory, or misleading news.
  • PCI duly examines complaints and takes measures such as warning, admonishing or censuring the newspaper, editors, journalists, etc.
• Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000: Section 69A grants the government power to block online content for security or public order concerns.
• Intermediary Guidelines & Digital Media Ethics Code, 2021: Regulates social media, OTT platforms, and digital news media.
• The Central Board of Film Certification (“CBFC”), which was established by the Cinematographic Act, of 1952, is responsible for censoring movies in India. 

Challenges in Digital Censorship in India

• Balancing Freedom of Speech & Regulation: Over-regulation can suppress creativity, while under-regulation can spread harmful content.
• Transparency & Accountability: Content moderation and censorship decisions often lack clear guidelines, raising concerns about misuse.
• Jurisdictional Issues: Many digital platforms operate from outside India, making enforcement difficult.
• Technological Advancements: The rapid evolution of digital media complicates consistent and fair regulation.
• Ethical Concerns: The subjective nature of obscenity laws can lead to arbitrary censorship.

Government Initiatives

• Fact Check Unit: It was established under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and started its operations in 2019.
  • It was constituted to flag “fake, false or misleading online content related to the government.
• The Sahyog Portal: It was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2024.
  • The portal acts as a centralized system for government agencies at various levels, ranging from ministries to local police stations, to issue blocking orders more efficiently.

Way Ahead

• Strengthening Technical Capacity & Oversight: Upskill algorithm developers to reduce bias and manipulation in AI systems.
  • Establish AI supervisory boards and councils to monitor and regulate generative AI practices.
• Boosting Public Awareness & Digital Literacy: Expand digital literacy campaigns to help citizens identify and resist disinformation.
  • Promote critical thinking through educational reforms and public outreach.
• Building Global and Regional Alliances: Promote cross-border coalitions to respond to the global nature of disinformation.
  • Share best practices, threat intelligence, and regulatory frameworks with allies and international bodies.

Source: AIR