New Delhi, Oct 16: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has urged journalists to distinguish verified facts from speculation, conjecture and opinion, citing the Press Council of India’s (PCI) Norms of Journalistic Conduct 2022 amid alleged misinformation surrounding protests seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
In a post on X on October 15, the PIB said responsible journalism required accuracy and editorial accountability, cautioning that satire and commentary must not become vehicles for defamatory statements.
The bureau said journalists should clearly identify opinion and conjecture rather than present them as established facts. It also noted that cartoons and caricatures intended as good-natured humour could be treated more liberally under the norms.
However, the PIB stressed that satire did not exempt journalists from responsibility for potentially defamatory content. It added that terms such as “incompetent” and “impotent” should be assessed in the context of political commentary to determine whether their use was offensive.
The advisory comes amid allegations of misinformation linked to protests over the electoral roll revision controversy. Separately, the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations unit of Delhi Police registered more than four first information reports (FIRs) against social media handles allegedly circulating false narratives and attempting to disturb the national atmosphere.
The Press Council of India has repeatedly called for restraint and caution in news reporting, advocating self-regulation that balances press freedom with professional responsibility.
In a note on its website, the council said its objective was to foster an environment in which the press maintained an appropriate balance between exercising its freedom and fulfilling its responsibilities through self-regulation.
Section 13(b) of the Press Council Act, 1978, mandates the council to develop a code of conduct for newspapers, news agencies and journalists to promote high standards of reporting.
The PCI said it had developed principles over the years through its adjudications and other pronouncements. It expects journalists to apply these principles with appropriate judgement and adaptation while carrying out their professional duties.
The norms provide a framework for accuracy, editorial responsibility and ethical reporting, including the treatment of commentary and satire. The PIB’s intervention places these standards at the centre of the debate over how journalists and social media accounts report politically sensitive developments.
The advisory underscores the distinction between criticism and factual reporting, particularly when public controversies involve allegations that remain unverified.
