Union information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani on Friday said that the media has incomplete knowledge regarding the controversial PIB…
Union minister for Information and Broadcasting Smriti Irani. (Photo: Dilip Dutta)
Union information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani on Friday said that the media has incomplete knowledge regarding the controversial PIB circular calling for punitive action for disseminating fake news. Irani came to Kolkata to participate in the foundation day of the BJP.
Addressing a Press conference at the safron brigade’s state headquarters she said that the government related matter should not be discussed in a political platform. “I won’t comment on a government policy matter in political briefing,” she said.
Smriti Irani’s recent move to stop fake news triggered a backlash as a government order said that any complaint against a journalist accused of running fake news meant that their government accreditation would be immediately suspended.
Advertisement
After it was widely attacked as a brazen attempt to curb freedom of the press in an election year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally cancelled the order that sought to punish journalists for fake news.
The order was issued by the Union information and broadcasting ministry, which is headed by Smriti Irani.
Top editors and Opposition parties accused the government of trying to control the media, Irani later said that she was open to suggestions on how to modify the order and tackle fake news. However it wasn’t enough, later the Prime Minister’s Office said the controversial order was withdrawn.
Advertisement
