Mamata slams Centre's 'draconian' fake news circular

Kolkata: Reacting strongly to a circular issued by the Press Information Bureau regarding 'fake news', West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday termed the move as "draconian".

Ms Banerjee also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the circular. She questioned the government about "the 'fake news' spread by a political party on a regular basis".

" The PIB circular on #FakeNews control is a brazen attempt to curb press freedom, a sure sign that the Govt has lost its way.," Ms Banerjee posted on her social networking page.

"We demand the immediate withdrawal of such a draconian move. And what about #FakeNews spread by a political party on a regular basis ?" she questioned.

The government on Monday said the accreditation of a journalist could be permanently cancelled if the scribe is found generating or propagating fake news, as it came out with stringent measures to contain the menace.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued certain guidelines for it, which sparked an outrage and raised questions about who defines fake news.

As per the amended guidelines for the accreditation of journalists, if the publication or telecast of fake news is confirmed, the accreditation of that journalist would be suspended for a period of six months in the first violation and for one year in case of a second violation.

In case of a third violation, his or her accreditation would be cancelled permanently, the information and broadcasting ministry said in a release.