I&B Ministry to suspend or permanently cancel accreditation of journalists for running fake news

The Center has revised its rules to permanently cancel the accreditation of journalists who are found to be guilty of disseminating fake news.

The information and broadcasting ministry will suspend the accreditation of such a journalist for a period of six months on the first instance of running a fake news and one year on second such instance, if proved.

On the third instance of running a fake news, the accreditation of the journalist concerned, if found guilty by their respective regulatory bodies, will permanently "be cancelled," the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said releasing a statement on Monday evening.

The Ministry said it has revised the guidelines for accreditation of journalists "noticing the increasing instances of fake news in various mediums including print and electronic media."