MUMBAI: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) under the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has sent show-cause notice to Kannada news channel Public TV for ‘spreading false information’. The notice has been issued by PIB’s additional director-general M Nagendra Swamy for a programme titled ‘Helicopter Money – Helicopternalli Surithara Modi?’ aired by the channel at 8.30 pm on 15 February which speculated that money could be given free to the people.

The news item has been termed as "false, mischievous, and deliberate" which clearly violates the Broadcasting Code and Rules. “When the whole country is fighting the COVID-19, your channel, instead of creating awareness and educating the public, (is) spreading false information, creating panic and social unrest,” the notice added.

“In view of the above serious violation of Cable Television Networks(Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules, you are hereby directed to show cause why your channel should not be taken out of air immediately,” it stated further.

The channel has been asked to send a reply within ten days of the notice. PIB's fact check also refuted the news on Twitter.