New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India expressed deep concern over draft amendment Information technology rules that give authority to press information bureau (PIB) to ascertain the veracity of news reports. Anything declared by PIB will have to remove online intermediaries including social media platforms.
It has urged the government to scrap the new amendment, which was uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on January 17, 2023.
The Guild has said that the determination of fake news cannot be in the hands of the government alone as this would lead to censorship of the press.
“There are already a number of laws in place to deal with material found to be factually incorrect. This new process basically works to make it easier to muzzle the free press, and the PIB, or any other authority authorized by the Central Give wide powers to other agency.” The Editors Guild has said that the government fact-checking “forces online intermediaries to remove content that the government may find problematic.”
It has objected to the use of the words “in relation to any business of the Central Government” and said that it gives a carte blanche to the government to determine whether it is fake in relation to its own work.
The Guild said, “It will stifle legitimate criticism of the government and adversely affect the press’s ability to hold governments accountable, which plays an important role in a democracy.”
The Guild had earlier also expressed its deep concern with the IT rules when they were first introduced in March 2021, claiming that they would allow the central government to block news published anywhere in the country without any judicial oversight. , give the right to delete or modify.
It had said that various provisions of these rules have the potential to impose undue restrictions on the digital news media and consequently the media at large.
The Guild urged the government to initiate meaningful consultations with press bodies, media organizations and other stakeholders on the regulatory framework for digital media, so that it is not diluted. freedom of press,
It has urged the government to scrap the new amendment, which was uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) on January 17, 2023.
The Guild has said that the determination of fake news cannot be in the hands of the government alone as this would lead to censorship of the press.
“There are already a number of laws in place to deal with material found to be factually incorrect. This new process basically works to make it easier to muzzle the free press, and the PIB, or any other authority authorized by the Central Give wide powers to other agency.” The Editors Guild has said that the government fact-checking “forces online intermediaries to remove content that the government may find problematic.”
It has objected to the use of the words “in relation to any business of the Central Government” and said that it gives a carte blanche to the government to determine whether it is fake in relation to its own work.
The Guild said, “It will stifle legitimate criticism of the government and adversely affect the press’s ability to hold governments accountable, which plays an important role in a democracy.”
The Guild had earlier also expressed its deep concern with the IT rules when they were first introduced in March 2021, claiming that they would allow the central government to block news published anywhere in the country without any judicial oversight. , give the right to delete or modify.
It had said that various provisions of these rules have the potential to impose undue restrictions on the digital news media and consequently the media at large.
The Guild urged the government to initiate meaningful consultations with press bodies, media organizations and other stakeholders on the regulatory framework for digital media, so that it is not diluted. freedom of press,