Ram Mandir inauguration: Centre issues advisory to media, social media platforms against airing fake news

The advisory asked newspapers, private satellite TV channels, and publishers of news and current affairs on digital media to refrain from publishing and telecasting any content that may be false or manipulated or has the potential to disturb communal harmony or public order in the country.

“Further, as part of their due diligence obligations, social media platforms… are advised to make reasonable efforts to not host, display or publish information of the nature mentioned above…,” according to the advisory.
The consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya will be held on Monday (January 22), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thousands of other dignitaries and guests in attendance.

To “eliminate unverified and false information” pertaining to the event, the I&B Ministry’s advisory mentioned provisions of the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, and Norms of Journalistic Conduct laid down by the Press Council of India under the Press Council Act, 1978. As per the Programme Code, TV channels cannot broadcast any programme which “contains attack on religions or communities or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups or which promote communal attitudes” or “is likely to encourage or incite violence”.