Overview

• The Standing Committee on Communications and IT submitted its draft to the Lok Sabha Speaker after unanimous adoption, with tabling expected in the next session.
• It urges mandatory fact-checking units and internal ombudsmen across print, digital and broadcast outlets.
• The report seeks amended penal provisions with higher fines and clear liability for editors, publishers and platforms, plus an independent central body to monitor cross-platform cases.
• It recommends statutory powers for the PIB Fact Check Unit on government-related claims, noting 1.63 lakh queries since 2020 and the 2024 Bombay High Court ruling that curtailed executive takedowns.
• Proposals include licensing and mandatory labels for AI-generated content, inter-ministerial and international coordination including a small task force, reviews of safe-harbour protections and steps to curb algorithmic amplification.