A parliamentary committee has called for a clear legal definition of fake news, stronger penalties, and closer coordination between ministries to counter the rapid spread of misinformation across digital platforms.
The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, chaired by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, in its report tabled in the parliament, said the government needs to define fake news in law, create a unified national portal for complaints, strengthen the Press Council of India, and give statutory backing to the PIB Fact Check Unit.
“A need has been felt for defining the term ‘Fake News’ per se in a subtle manner and incorporate suitable clauses in the existing regulatory mechanism for print, electronics and digital media while maintaining the delicate balance of combating misinformation and protecting freedom of speech and individual rights as guaranteed under the Constitution,” the report said.
The committee has also cautioned the ministry to consider all the dimensions and parameters related to the term in consultation with the stakeholders while defining it.
In a major recommendation, it suggested mandatory fact-checking units and ombudsmen in all print, TV and digital media organisations, as well as tougher action against repeat offenders, including the possibility of cancelling accreditation for those who repeatedly create or spread false information.
As Artificial Intelligence generated content is becoming a menace, the committee asked the government to consider mandatory labelling of AI-generated content and to explore licensing requirements for creators of AI-based videos.
The report warns that misinformation now spreads faster than the systems designed to stop it. The parliamentary panel said fake news affects public order, democratic processes, and even financial markets. It says the phenomenon is driven by low levels of digital literacy, political and financial motives, algorithm-driven amplification, bots and AI-generated deepfakes.
It also noted that almost anyone with a smartphone can publish content without editorial checks, weakening traditional safeguards.
The committee highlighted gaps in the current regulatory system. Oversight of digital media is divided between the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It said the two ministries must work more closely, as most misinformation originates or spreads through online platforms. It recommended updating the IT Act, the Cable Television Network Act and related rules to address modern forms of digital content and cross-platform dissemination.
It also raised concerns about the lack of participation by many TV channels in existing self-regulatory bodies. More than half of licensed channels are not part of any self-regulation framework. The panel supported the government’s move to make membership of a recognised self-regulatory body a condition for uplinking and downlinking permissions.
But are we prepared to deal with the menace?
The committee noted that fact-checking systems across India remain scattered. The PIB Fact Check Unit, independent fact-checking groups and newsroom teams often work in isolation. It said closer collaboration and shared tools would improve verification, especially given the high volume of misleading content online.
The report pointed to delays in grievance redressal. The Press Council of India has a backlog of cases after leadership vacancies and limited meetings, while action on complaints involving TV and digital platforms remains inconsistent. The panel recommended faster disposal of cases, regular meetings of inquiry bodies and digital tracking of complaints.
On penalties, the committee said current measures are not strong enough to act as a deterrent. While print outlets can be censured, TV channels can face fines or temporary bans, the digital publishers face relatively small fines under the IT Rules.
The panel recommended that the fines should be increased and penalties should escalate for repeated violations.
While, the fake news challenges originating from within the country can still be tackled, but the ones originating in foreign countries are a deeper challenge. The committee said such content is harder to regulate due to jurisdiction and language barriers, although the government can block harmful material under Section 69A of the IT Act. It called for more international cooperation through forums such as UNESCO.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has been asked to submit a time-bound plan responding to each of the committee’s recommendations.
