{"id":61681,"date":"2025-12-15T19:16:27","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T13:46:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=61681"},"modified":"2025-12-17T11:34:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T06:04:27","slug":"govt-framework-against-fake-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/15-12-2025\/govt-framework-against-fake-news","title":{"rendered":"Govt Strengthens Framework Against Fake News"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Information and Broadcasting Minister said that the government has strengthened the framework to <strong>combat fake news and deep fakes across <\/strong>media platforms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fake news<\/strong> is known as information that is false or misleading and presented as news.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deep Fakes<\/strong> are digital media \u2014 video, audio, and images, edited and manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They incorporate hyper-realistic digital falsification and can be used to damage reputations, fabricate evidence, and undermine trust in democratic institutions.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Disinformation Challenge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Growing Internet Penetration: <\/strong>India is on track to surpass 900 million internet users, making it highly <strong>vulnerable to disinformation <\/strong>without appropriate regulations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diverse Landscape, High Risk:<\/strong> India&#8217;s political, social, and linguistic diversity creates fertile ground for manipulated narratives, voter influence, and social unrest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Decline of Legacy Media Trust:<\/strong> Public trust in traditional news sources is eroding.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Citizens increasingly rely on social media for news.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unverified information spreads rapidly, often trusted because it comes from friends or family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Youth at Risk:<\/strong> India\u2019s youth demographic is increasingly exposed to misinformation. Many lack digital literacy and media consumption skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Legal and Regulatory Landscape<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Constitutional Limits: <\/strong>Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Article 19(2) allows restrictions for defamation, morality, and public order.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The need to <strong>balance free speech<\/strong> (Article 19(1)(a)) with <strong>reasonable restrictions<\/strong> (Article 19(2)) is challenging.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electronic Media:<\/strong> TV channels follow the Programme Code under the <strong>Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It prohibits content that is obscene, defamatory, deliberately false, or that contains suggestive innuendos and half-truths.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rules framed under the act establish a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism to address violations.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Level I:<\/strong> Self-regulation by the broadcasters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Level II: <\/strong>Regulation by broadcasters\u2019 self-regulatory bodies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Level III: <\/strong>Oversight mechanism by the Central Government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital Media:<\/strong> Code of Ethics has been framed under <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/26-05-2021\/it-rules-2021-come-into-effect\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/26-05-2021\/it-rules-2021-come-into-effect\">IT Rules 2021<\/a><\/strong> for publishers of news and current affairs on digital media;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Intermediaries must prevent<\/strong> users from sharing misinformation or information which is patently false and untrue or misleading in nature.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grievance Officer<\/strong> is appointed by platforms to handle complaints related to false or defamatory content within a fixed timeframe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Print Media:<\/strong> Norms of Journalistic Conduct issued by <strong>Press Council of India<\/strong> restrain the publication of fake, defamatory, or misleading news.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PCI duly examines complaints and takes measures such as warning, admonishing or censuring the newspaper, editors, journalists, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000<\/strong>: Section 69A grants the government power to block online content for security or public order concerns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Intermediary Guidelines &amp; Digital Media Ethics Code, 2021: <\/strong>Regulates social media, OTT platforms, and digital news media.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Central Board of Film Certification (&#8220;CBFC&#8221;)<\/strong>, which was established by the Cinematographic Act, of 1952, is responsible for censoring movies in India.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges in Digital Censorship in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Balancing Freedom of Speech &amp; Regulation<\/strong>: Over-regulation can suppress creativity, while under-regulation can spread harmful content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transparency &amp; Accountability:<\/strong> Content moderation and censorship decisions often lack clear guidelines, raising concerns about misuse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jurisdictional Issues: <\/strong>Many digital platforms operate from outside India, making enforcement difficult.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technological Advancements: <\/strong>The rapid evolution of digital media complicates consistent and fair regulation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ethical Concerns:<\/strong> The subjective nature of obscenity laws can lead to arbitrary censorship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government Initiatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fact Check Unit: <\/strong>It was established under the <strong>Press Information Bureau (PIB)<\/strong> and started its operations in 2019.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was constituted to flag \u201cfake, false or misleading online content related to the government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Sahyog Portal: <\/strong>It was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2024.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strengthening Technical Capacity &amp; Oversight: <\/strong>Upskill algorithm developers to <strong>reduce bias <\/strong>and manipulation in AI systems.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Establish AI supervisory boards and councils to monitor and regulate generative AI practices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boosting Public Awareness &amp; Digital Literacy: <\/strong>Expand digital literacy campaigns to help citizens identify and resist disinformation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Promote critical thinking through educational reforms and public outreach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Building Global and Regional Alliances: <\/strong>Promote cross-border coalitions to respond to the global nature of disinformation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Share best practices, threat intelligence, and regulatory frameworks with allies and international bodies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/govt-strengthens-framework-against-fake-news-minister-ashwini-vaishnav\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The Information and Broadcasting Minister said that the government has strengthened the framework to combat fake news and deep fakes across media platforms.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong>About<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Fake news is known as information that is false or misleading and presented as news.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Deep Fakes are digital media \u2014 video, audio, and images, edited and manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">They incorporate hyper-realistic digital falsification and can be used to damage reputations, fabricate evidence, and undermine trust in democratic institutions.\u00a0<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/15-12-2025\/govt-framework-against-fake-news\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61681"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61681\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61871,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61681\/revisions\/61871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}