I&B withdraws fake news norms after PM order

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today ordered the I&B Ministry to cancel its contentious guidelines on fake news after widespread criticism and outcry by journalists and the opposition who dubbed these norms an attempt to "muzzle" the free press.

Soon after, the Information and Broadcasting ministry issued a statement, saying the press release regarding fake news put out by it last night "stands withdrawn."
In a strongly-worded statement, the Editors Guild said, "By notifying that the I&B Ministry will initiate such proceedings, the government was arrogating for itself the role of policing the media. It would have opened the door for frivolous complaints to harass journalists and organisations to fall in line."
It further said, "The Guild also points out that 'fake news' is a process that cannot be left to governments to initiate action when, on many occasions, the governments and the parties in power - both at the Centre and states are charged with propagating fake news themselves."