Smriti Irani Ministry's 'Anti-Fake news rules: Media slam Centre; Here's how top journalists reacted

The Information and broadcast ministry on Monday came up with new rules against the fake news and news guidelines for journalists stating that the accreditation of a journalist could be permanently cancelled if the person is found creating or propagating any kind of fake news and the journalist could be blacklisted for life.

According to reports, in a press release issued Monday evening, it said that the Press Council of India and News Broadcasters Association (NBA), the two regulatory bodies for print and television media respectively, will determine whether the news is fake or not.

Anti-Fake news bill passed: Journalist propagating false news could be blacklisted, says Smriti Ministry

The new move of the Union Information and Broadcast Ministry has given rise to outrages from top journalists, who quizzed the Centre about how the fake news will be defined.

Responding to tweets, Ms Irani said fake news complaints would be examined by the Press Council of India (PCI) and the News Broadcasters Association (NBA).

Here's how top journalists reacted against the Centre's rules to check fake news

Shekhar Gupta:

"Make no mistake: this is a breathtaking assault on mainstream media. It's a moment like Rajiv Gandhi's anti-defamation bill. All media shd bury their differences and resist this."

Akhilesh Sharma:

"Fake news is a serious threat for the credibility of the journalism. For example, on CBSE paper leaks, many fake govt notifications are being circulated on the whatsapp. There is an urgent need to find ways to fight it out."

Jyoti Malhotra:

"1984 comes to 2018, but question is if @smritiirani has read George Orwell : In name of fake news, Government frames rules to blacklist journalists"

Barkha Dutt:

Something Trumpian in the air. This #FakeNews fight where the Media is the Enemy. While whats app forwards continue to send 'postcards' from an alternative reality 😎 or was it called 'alternative facts'

Sadanand Dhume:
"Alleged fake news busting site promoted by government ministers in India can't tell the difference between reporting and actual fake news."

Sagarika Ghose:

"Of the 39 Indians, 27 were from Punjab, four from Himachal Pradesh, six from Bihar and two from West Bengal."

However, withdrawing the Smriti Irani Ministry's controversial 'Fake-News' PM Narendra Modi issued a press release regarding the fake news be withdrawn and the matter should only be addressed in Press Council of India.

Also read: After Center announced 'anti-fake news' rule, PM intervenes puts down Smriti Irani's decision