Parliamentary Committee Unveils Comprehensive Framework to Combat Fake News

India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has released its 22nd Report, titled “Review of Mechanism to Curb Fake News,” presenting a detailed national framework to address misinformation across print, television, and digital media platforms.

The committee characterizes the unchecked spread of misinformation as “a global challenge” that threatens “public order, democratic processes, and individual reputation.” It notes that with digital platforms and social media becoming ubiquitous, nearly every individual has become a “purveyor of news or information,” while traditional editorial safeguards have become “almost non-existent.”

The report urges the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to implement a “robust and comprehensive approach” with a time-bound action plan to address the issues highlighted.

The committee’s recommendations span eight critical areas and emphasize the need for closer coordination between MIB, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and other government departments to tackle misinformation as a structural problem.

A key recommendation is defining fake news in legal terms. The committee observes that the current ambiguity allows the term to encompass everything from satire and opinions to clickbait reporting and biased coverage, sometimes being used “to target and delegitimize the media.” It recommends that MIB define fake news “in a subtle manner” that focuses on “deliberately fabricated or manipulated content disseminated with the intent to mislead or harm,” while protecting legitimate forms of expression.

The report identifies significant fragmentation in India’s current regulatory framework, which spans the Press Council of India Act, Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995, and IT Rules of 2021. It calls for an independent central monitoring body with representatives from MeitY, MIB, and media stakeholders to adjudicate cross-platform fake news cases and recommend penalties.

On self-regulation, the committee found that 543 out of 919 TV channels in India are not members of any self-regulatory body (SRB). It supports MIB’s decision to make SRB membership mandatory for all channels and recommends extending similar requirements to digital and print media. It also calls for all media organizations to establish in-house fact-checking systems and appoint internal ombudsmen.

Fact-checking collaboration received significant attention in the report. The committee notes that between April 2020 and April 2025, the Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check Unit received 163,597 queries, of which 53,155 were relevant. However, it emphasized that “no single organisation, government or private, has the capacity to cross-check and handle the large volume of fake news.” The report recommends giving the PIB Fact Check Unit statutory backing while also fostering collaboration between government and independent fact-checkers.

The committee highlights inconsistencies in penalties for misinformation across media types. While the Press Council can only issue warnings, broadcasters face temporary suspension, and digital publishers receive small fines. It calls for stronger, deterrent penalties linked to the gravity of harm, the publisher’s reach, and repeat offenses. It suggests that journalists found guilty of spreading misinformation could have their accreditation canceled.

To improve the complaint process, the report recommends creating a unified digital grievance redressal portal covering print, broadcast, and digital media. This would allow citizens to file complaints, track progress, and receive real-time updates, addressing the current fragmentation in grievance mechanisms.

The committee acknowledges the dual role of artificial intelligence in both creating and combating misinformation. It recommends that MIB and MeitY design legal and technological frameworks to identify and prosecute creators of AI-generated misinformation, explore licensing requirements for AI content creators, and enforce mandatory labeling of AI-generated media.

Recognizing the unique challenges of cross-border misinformation, the report calls for an inter-ministerial task force to coordinate India’s approach and adapt best practices from other countries to India’s social and linguistic context.

The committee identifies low media literacy as a fundamental cause of misinformation’s spread. It recommends that MIB work with the Ministry of Education to introduce media studies and digital literacy curricula at school and college levels, noting that “media literacy beginning at school and college level can have far-reaching effects and play a crucial role in young minds.”

Finally, the report raises concerns about social media algorithms that amplify sensational content, creating “a vicious cycle that often leads to virality of fake news.” It calls for algorithmic transparency and audits of platform recommendation systems, as well as revisiting Section 79 of the IT Act, which provides safe harbor protections to intermediaries.

The comprehensive recommendations reflect a recognition that misinformation in India has become a structural challenge requiring a coordinated national response rather than scattered enforcement efforts.