NEW DELHI: Tightening noose on journalists in view of fake news, the Union information and broadcasting ministry announced on Monday that journalists found guilty of writing or broadcasting “fake news” will have their accreditation withdrawn for a limited period or permanently. This will depend on the frequency of violations. This appears to be a move to crack down on the menace of fake news.

The ministry did not define “fake news” but said in a statement that all complaints of “fake news” would be referred for determination to the Press Council of India (PCI) for violations in print, and to the National Broadcasters Association (NBA) for violations on TV. The ministry’s statement didn’t mention digital media, although I&B minister SmritiIrani has previously said that the government would try and frame rules for that too. The minister said a line of ethics and a code of conduct had to be put in place to ensure that customers do not get affected by vested views in news, broadcasting and advertorial content.

The efforts come even as governments around the world are figuring out ways to tackle fake news, especially in digital media. It is now widely believed that the Russians used fake news on Facebook to try and influence the outcome of the 2016 US election.

There are fears that something similar could happen in India, which will see elections to several states this year. The parliamentary elections are scheduled for the middle of next year.

“We have the Press Council of India for newspapers which is different from government and still self-regulatory enough to awaken its own conscience and take a decision that will bar such processes. Similarly, for television news you have the News Broadcasters Association. I’m hopeful that such a similar body will also emerge for social media at least in the news, opinion and entertainment content,” Irani said at a recent conference in New Delhi