On 2 December 2025, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology asked the government to define the term “fake news” and to include appropriate provisions to combat disinformation and protect freedom of speech in the existing media regulatory framework. Photo credit: ANI
A parliamentary panel has asked the government to examine the feasibility of changing the criminal provisions for publishing or broadcasting fake news to include the revocation of the accreditation of a journalist or creator found guilty of such an act, according to a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday (Dec 2, 2025).
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 include appropriate provisions in the existing media regulatory framework to combat disinformation and protect freedom of expression.
The report on the “Review of Mechanism to Curb Fake News” also asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to consult all stakeholders and come up with a definition of fake news. “There is also a need to amend the penal provisions for publishing/broadcasting fake news in relevant laws/rules/guidelines for each form of media (print, electronic, digital),” the committee said.
It said the ministry may explore the feasibility of revoking the accreditation of a journalist/creator if he is found guilty of creating and/or spreading fake news. “Needless to say, all such actions should involve and be based on a consensus building process between media bodies and relevant stakeholders,” the committee said.
The report stated that due to the ambiguity of the concepts of “disinformation” and “fake news”, the Committee believes that it is necessary to define the term “fake news” more finely.
It also urged the government to include appropriate clauses in the existing regulatory framework for print, electronic and digital media while maintaining the delicate balance between combating disinformation and protecting freedom of expression and individual rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.
The committee also said that introduction of fact-checking mechanism and internal ombudsman in media organizations will go a long way to strengthen the role of self-regulatory mechanism and check the menace of disinformation/fake news.
She asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to ensure that a fact-checking mechanism and an internal ombudsman are made mandatory in all print, digital and electronic media organizations in the country.
Published – 02 Dec 2025 23:01 IST
