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Government Plans to Expand Press Council’s Authority to Combat Fake News
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) is preparing to introduce significant amendments to the Press Council Act of 1978, aimed at tackling the growing challenge of fake news and misinformation in India’s rapidly evolving media landscape.
According to top government sources, the proposed changes would substantially broaden the Press Council of India’s (PCI) regulatory scope beyond traditional print media to encompass digital publishers, major content creators, and social media influencers.
The amendment represents a watershed moment in India’s approach to media regulation, with plans to transform the PCI into an umbrella regulatory authority overseeing all forms of media—print, broadcast, and digital platforms. This consolidated approach aims to improve coordination and enforcement across the entire media ecosystem.
“The Ministry is working on establishing specific thresholds related to follower and subscriber counts to determine which influencers would fall under the PCI’s jurisdiction,” a senior official revealed on condition of anonymity. The draft amendment is expected to be presented during upcoming parliamentary sessions.
The initiative forms part of the government’s comprehensive strategy to combat misinformation while enhancing accountability among creators of news and news-like content. In July 2026, authorities had already enforced Journalistic Conduct Norms under the PCI and expanded the Programme Code and IT Rules to address problematic content across multiple platforms.
Currently, digital news publishers and OTT platforms must adhere to a Code of Ethics under Part III of the IT Rules, but independent online creators and influencers have remained largely unregulated—a gap the proposed amendments seek to close.
The MIB’s move follows recommendations from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, which in its Twenty-Second Report highlighted influencers’ growing role in spreading misinformation, often motivated by financial gain or ideological purposes.
The parliamentary panel had advocated for establishing a unified Media Council to bring all media formats under one regulatory framework. Their report identified a sophisticated misinformation network comprising individuals, organized groups, and increasingly, AI-driven content generators who leverage technology and sensationalism to spread falsehoods.
Industry stakeholders informed the committee that fake news creators typically monetize their activities through advertising revenue and engagement metrics, often employing clickbait tactics to maximize views. Others deliberately disseminate misinformation to sway public opinion or undermine political opponents, sometimes backed by organized funding.
The committee expressed concern that current penalties—ranging from warnings to fines of up to ₹25 lakh and potential license revocation—provide insufficient deterrence. They recommended implementing a graduated penalty system, beginning with warnings for first offenses and escalating to channel suspensions for repeat violations.
In response to the rise of artificial intelligence in content creation, the committee also suggested that creators using AI tools for news dissemination should be licensed or registered, with mandatory disclosure labels for AI-generated material.
“The aim is to ensure audiences are aware of whether the content they consume is human-created or AI-assisted,” the report stated, noting that deepfakes and synthetic media pose significant threats to public trust.
The committee further recommended that the MIB collaborate with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and social media platforms to establish a comprehensive accountability framework for creators and influencers.
Additional proposals included requiring major technology companies to appoint dedicated nodal officers in India to address creator-led violations and reviewing safe harbor provisions under the IT Act to ensure platforms cooperate in penalizing repeat offenders.
If implemented, these amendments would mark the first time social media influencers and digital content creators are formally recognized under a statutory media oversight framework in India, reflecting the government’s determination to address misinformation in the digital age.
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20 Comments
This is an interesting move to expand media regulation in India. Bringing influencers and content creators under the Press Council’s purview could help combat misinformation, but the specifics on thresholds and enforcement will be crucial.
I’m curious to see how the government plans to strike a balance between oversight and preserving creative freedom for digital creators.
This seems like a proactive move by the government to address the growing challenge of fake news and misinformation in India’s evolving media landscape. Expanding the Press Council’s mandate could improve accountability, but the details will be key.
I hope the government conducts extensive consultations to ensure the new framework strikes the right balance between regulation and preserving creative freedom for digital creators.
Bringing influencers and digital publishers under the Press Council’s purview could be an important step in combating the spread of misinformation in India. However, the regulatory approach will need to be carefully balanced.
It will be interesting to see how the government defines the thresholds for inclusion and whether smaller creators are impacted. Maintaining a healthy digital ecosystem is crucial.
Regulating social media influencers and digital content creators is a complex issue with implications for free expression. The government’s plan to expand the Press Council’s authority is ambitious, but the implementation will require nuance.
It will be critical to see how the new regulations are designed and enforced to avoid unintended consequences or disproportionate impacts on smaller creators.
This seems like a timely move by the government to address the spread of misinformation through digital platforms. Bringing influencers and content creators under the Press Council’s purview could improve standards, but the implementation will be key.
I hope the government engages widely with stakeholders to develop a balanced framework that effectively tackles fake news while preserving the vitality of India’s digital ecosystem.
This seems like a proactive move by the government to address the spread of misinformation. Bringing influencers and digital publishers under the Press Council’s purview could improve standards, but the details will be crucial.
I hope the government consults widely with stakeholders to ensure the new framework is effective yet balanced, protecting both freedom of expression and public trust.
The rise of digital media has certainly brought new challenges around accountability and fact-checking. Broadening the Press Council’s mandate could be a positive move, but the details of the amendments will be crucial.
I hope the government engages extensively with stakeholders to develop a framework that effectively addresses misinformation without stifling legitimate digital expression.
The growth of digital media has undoubtedly created new challenges around accountability and fact-checking. Broadening the Press Council’s mandate could be an important step, but the implementation details will be key.
I wonder if this could have unintended consequences for smaller creators or lead to over-regulation. Regulatory frameworks need to be carefully designed.
Regulating social media influencers and digital content creators is a complex challenge. The government’s plan to expand the Press Council’s authority is an ambitious step, but the implementation will require a nuanced approach.
It will be interesting to see how the thresholds for inclusion are defined and whether smaller creators are impacted. Maintaining a vibrant digital ecosystem is important.
The growth of digital media has undoubtedly created new challenges around accountability and fact-checking. Broadening the Press Council’s mandate could be an important step, but the specific details of the amendments will be crucial.
I’m curious to see how the government plans to define the thresholds for inclusion and whether there will be mechanisms to address concerns from the digital creator community.