‘Angry’ over bad publicity, PMO directed PIB to ‘immediately’ withdraw I&B fake news order

File photo of Narendra Modi| PTI

I&B minister Smriti Irani is said to have taken the decision suo motu, without consulting the PMO.

New Delhi: It was “anger” over the bad publicity generated by the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry’s fake news order that reportedly spurred the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to step in and direct its withdrawal, within less than 24 hours after it was issued.

In the highly controversial order, the Smriti Irani-led ministry had said Monday that journalists who published or propagated fake news would be deprived of their government accreditation. The first two violations were to invite a six-month and one-year suspension of accreditation, respectively.

The order sparked immediate outrage and was criticised as a brazen attempt to curb press freedom. There were also concerns over what would constitute fake news since the ministry hadn’t offered a definition. It applied only to print and broadcast journalists since those working for digital media are not yet eligible for accreditation.

According to highly placed sources in the party and the government, Irani took the decision suo motu, without consulting the PMO.

With the BJP-led central government already on the back foot over the CBSE exam paper leak, the Dalit agitation and communal violence in Bihar, it was felt the party could ill-afford another row, leading the Prime Minister to intervene.

“The Prime Minister has directed that the press release regarding fake news be withdrawn and the matter only be addressed in the Press Council of India,” the PMO said in its directive to the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

The PIB withdrew the note announcing the move Tuesday afternoon, but until the evening, the ministry was yet to cancel the formal order.

This was a rare instance where the government hurriedly withdrew a press release without waiting for the cancellation of the official order on which it was based.

According to sources in the ministry, a top official from the PMO called up I&B secretary N.K. Sinha Tuesday morning, asking for the immediate withdrawal of the order. After it was conveyed to the PMO that withdrawing the official order and releasing a new one would take time, the PIB was asked to immediately withdraw the related press note.