Prakash Javadekar: 'Fake News bigger threat than Paid News'

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday stated his concerns regarding the peddling of 'Fake News' in the country. He said that fake news is a bigger problem than paid news. He was addressing a conference on the occasion of National Press Day in New Delhi. 

'Fake news a bigger threat than Paid News'

The Minister also spoke about 'lynchings' and said that it is the most severe crime and must be addressed. "A fake news was spread that some people are child-lifters which led to the killing of 20 people. When discussions are held on Lynchings, then one lynching is discussed, but these 20 people also died of lynching which is not discussed," he said. 

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'The biggest crisis is Fake news'

 The Minister also said that the Freedom of the Press was curbed during the British rule and during the emergency period in the country. He also urged citizens to fight against the 'Fake news' crisis in the country. "After independence in 1975, freedom of the press came into danger. In the days of our student movement, we fought against it. Today, the biggest crisis is fake news. Journalists should work for it," he said. 

The Union Minister also said that the freedom of the press is the essence for a vibrant democracy, and the government is ensuring full freedom to the press. He also said the media can criticise but should guard against fake news and desist from disinformation and misinformation. 

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