A parliamentary panel is learnt to be in favour of recommending amendments to penal provisions, including increase in fines, and fixing accountability of editorial content to curb the spread of ‘fake news’.
The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, headed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, is said to be in favour of recommending the mandatory presence of a fact-checking mechanism and internal ombudsman in all media organisations.
Taking note of the unchecked spread of misinformation in general and ‘fake news’ in particular, which pose a serious threat to public order and democratic processes, the panel feels there’s need for a multi-faceted approach and combined efforts from individuals, governments, media (print, electronic, digital), and social media platforms.
Of the view that there is a need for defining the term ‘fake news’, it is said to be in favour of incorporating suitable clauses in the existing regulatory mechanism for media while maintaining the delicate balance of combating misinformation and protecting freedom of speech and individual rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
It is also in favour of suggesting a portal for complaints to strengthen the Press Council of India, and an independent centralised monitoring body and formation of a committee of experts to come up with amendments in existing acts/rules/guidelines to address the issue effectively.
It is said to be backing the idea of an internal ombudsman in media organisations to strengthen the self-regulatory mechanism. It is also in favour of inter-ministerial coordination for exploring the feasibility of licensing requirements for AI content creators and mandatory labelling of AI-generated videos and content.