Editors Guild highlights concerns with Karnataka Government's ‘fact checking committee’

The Karnataka government had given a nod to the creation of a fact checking unit to deal with widespread propagation of ‘fake news’ or misinformation in the previous week.
“The CM was of the view that curbing fake news was essential as it was responsible for the weakening of democracy and polarisation in the society. The government will also pass legislations against propagating fake news. The unit will work towards detecting the syndicates that spread fake news, preventing the dissemination of such news and punishment for those behind the same. The unit will consist of a supervisory committee, fact-finding teams and analysis teams apart from other wings,” the statement from the office of the Chief Minister read on the eve of its approval.
The Editors Guild of India has however filed a petition with the Bombay High Court stating that the power to determine what is or is not fake has been vested with the executive by means of this committee which they have stated is in violation of the IT rules in place in 2023.
A press statement has been released by the guild regarding this issue.
“While admittedly there is a problem of misinformation and fake news, especially in the
online space, efforts to check such content have to be by independent bodies that are not
under the sole purview of the government, lest they become tools to clamp down on voices of
dissent. Any such monitoring framework should follow principles of natural justice, including
giving prior notice, right to appeal, and judicial oversight. Such units should also be set up
with due consultation and involvement of all stakeholders, including journalists and media
bodies, so that press freedom is not tampered with,” the statement read.