The Press Council of India (PCI,) on the 18th of December, ordered the Andhra Pradesh (A.P.,) Government to cancel the order which restricts media houses from publishing fake news.
The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) recently issued a Government Order (GO) 2430, which prevented the media houses in A.P., from reporting fake news. According to Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister of A.P., the order was taken to curb corrupt media houses from spreading fake news and defaming government officials.
However, the opposition party, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Journalists Association in A.P., protested against the order and filed a petition against the same. According to the opposition, the media, which is the fourth pillar of democratic India, is being controlled by the Government for its benefit.
According to the Government Order, the Government officials were authorised to take legal action against anyone related to media who writes, publishes and broadcasts fake news, especially if it defames government officials.
On the 18th of December, Chandramauli Kumar Prasad, the Chairman of PCI, reviewed the arguments against the restriction on media houses in A.P., and asked the YSRCP to withdraw the order.
While Suresh, an A.P., court advocate, was representing the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ,) Additional Director Kiran appeared on behalf of the State Government.
After hearing both sides of the argument, the Press Council of India ordered GO 2430 be withdrawn.
Stay tuned for further updates.
