<p>New Delhi: A BJP MP from Assam on Tuesday urged the government to set up a regulatory authority for news portals to ensure accountability, transparency and ethical journalism in the digital space.</p>.<p>Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Dilip Saikia -- the MP from Darrang-Udalguri -- highlighted the issue of "unchecked rise of dubious digital news channels that thrive on misinformation, distorting facts and harming democracy".</p>.Assam Cong spokesperson arrested for social media post; Himanta defends police action.<p>He said many such "dubious" digital news channels had come up in Assam and other parts of the country and were allegedly running as business ventures.</p>.<p>Saikia alleged some journalists of such portals had sometimes been seen crossing the line of journalism and being "involved in blackmailing".</p>.<p>Such news channels sometimes give a "bad name to the country and pose a threat to the country's security", he said.</p>.<p>There have been instances of people committing suicide after being affected by such "malicious" news, he claimed.</p>.<p>"These platforms manipulate public perception, influence politics, and disrupt social harmony. We must act now. I urge the government of India to establish a regulatory authority to ensure accountability, transparency and ethical journalism in the digital news space. A free press must stand for truth, not propaganda," he said. </p>
<p>New Delhi: A BJP MP from Assam on Tuesday urged the government to set up a regulatory authority for news portals to ensure accountability, transparency and ethical journalism in the digital space.</p>.<p>Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Dilip Saikia -- the MP from Darrang-Udalguri -- highlighted the issue of "unchecked rise of dubious digital news channels that thrive on misinformation, distorting facts and harming democracy".</p>.Assam Cong spokesperson arrested for social media post; Himanta defends police action.<p>He said many such "dubious" digital news channels had come up in Assam and other parts of the country and were allegedly running as business ventures.</p>.<p>Saikia alleged some journalists of such portals had sometimes been seen crossing the line of journalism and being "involved in blackmailing".</p>.<p>Such news channels sometimes give a "bad name to the country and pose a threat to the country's security", he said.</p>.<p>There have been instances of people committing suicide after being affected by such "malicious" news, he claimed.</p>.<p>"These platforms manipulate public perception, influence politics, and disrupt social harmony. We must act now. I urge the government of India to establish a regulatory authority to ensure accountability, transparency and ethical journalism in the digital news space. A free press must stand for truth, not propaganda," he said. </p>