This is what newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister says about regulation of News websites
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore assumed charge as Minister of State (Independent charge) of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry after replacing Smriti Zubin Irani. He also holds the portfolio of Sports Ministry.
The Prime Minister is very clear that the media in our country is one of the very important pillars of democracy and they have to self-regulate,” Mr Rathore told reporters.
In the Indian media, the minister said, self-regulation was done in various layers, first by a journalist and then by editors. The government believes in self-regulation by the media, he added.
The comments assume significance in the backdrop of a controversial press release issued by the ministry last month on fake news. The communique was widely criticised by media organisations and subsequently withdrawn after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention.
To a query over the ministry issuing an order last month for the constitution of a committee to frame rules to regulate news portals and media websites, Mr Rathore said, I think you have misunderstood it.
He said Prasar Bharati will be strengthened and high priority would be given to better and informative programmes.
“It is not us vs them…It is not about two teams. It is about a collective responsibility that media becomes the voice of the people, whether it is Prasar Bharati or private network or channel. We will work in this direction,” the Union minister said.
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