I&B Ministry
PMO directs MIB to withdraw guidelines on fake news
MUMBAI: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has ordered the withdrawal of guidelines to crack down on journalists responsible for distributing fake news, a senior government official said today.
“The prime minister has directed that the press statement regarding fake news be withdrawn and the matter be addressed in the Press Council of India,” a senior official in Modi’s office told news agency Reuters. No reason was given.
On Monday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had issued a statement stating that noticing increasing instances of fake news in various mediums, including print and electronic, the guidelines for accreditation of journalists have been amended with penalties and punishment factored in.
News Broadcasters Association (NBA) issues a statement, welcomes 'the decision to let industry bodies i.e. NBA and the Press Council of India (PCI) decide all issues relating to “Fake News”, as first proposed by @smritiirani
— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 3, 2018
I welcome PMO's decision on not interfering with press accreditation guidelines. I urge upon industry colleagues to join hands to combat the proliferation of 'fake news'. @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/yoWrOV7W8s
— Rajat Sharma (@RajatSharmaLive) April 3, 2018
“On receiving any complaints of instances of fake news, the same would get referred to the Press Council of India (PCI) if it pertains to print media and to News Broadcasters Association (NBA) of India if it relates to electronic media for determination of the news item being fake or not,” the MIB statement had said, adding that the process would be completed within 15 days.
Even as the government announced amendments in the guidelines for accreditation of print and electronic or TV journalists outlining punishments for breaches on account of fake news, the intention was termed by stakeholders as debatably honourable but an indirect way to muzzle media freedom.
Welcoming the decision, News Broadcasters Association has issued a statement. The move has been lauded for letting industry bodies such as NBA and Press Council of India(PCI) to decide all Fake News related issues as it was proposed by Smriti Irani earlier.
Also Read: MIB issues stringent norms on fake news in TV & print media
I&B Ministry
Digital radio, D2M tech set to reshape broadcasting and public messaging
Govt pushes next-gen delivery while TRAI tightens grip on spam ecosystem
NEW DELHI: India’s broadcasting and telecom landscape is undergoing a quiet but significant upgrade, with digital radio and Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technologies emerging as powerful tools for mass communication, while regulators step up efforts to tackle spam calls.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, digital radio and D2M are poised to transform how content reaches audiences by making more efficient use of spectrum. In simple terms, multiple channels can now be delivered over a single frequency, opening the door to a wider range of free-to-air content.
D2M technology takes this a step further by enabling video, audio and data to be broadcast directly to mobile handsets without relying on SIM cards or mobile data. The result is a resilient and cost-effective data pipe that can deliver everything from entertainment and education to critical emergency alerts, even in low-connectivity scenarios.
At the same time, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is tightening its grip on unsolicited commercial communication, better known as spam calls. The regulator has deployed a distributed ledger technology platform to bring transparency and accountability into the system.
Through this blockchain-based setup, consumers can register their preferences on receiving promotional messages, while businesses and telemarketers must also sign up and operate within defined rules. The platform also includes a complaint mechanism that allows users to report spam, with complaints shared across telecom operators for coordinated action.
The government’s broader push is being supported by infrastructure upgrades under the Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development scheme. Implemented through Prasar Bharati, the initiative focuses on modernising networks such as Akashvani and Doordarshan, including digitisation and adoption of next-generation broadcast equipment.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan said these steps are part of a larger effort to promote emerging technologies and strengthen the country’s broadcasting backbone. The response came to a query raised by member of Parliament Rao Rajendra Singh.
Together, these developments point to a dual-track strategy: expanding access to reliable, low-cost content while cleaning up the communication ecosystem. As digital pipes get smarter and spam filters sharper, India’s airwaves may soon feel a lot less noisy and far more useful.
