Editors Guild Expresses 'Concern' Over Karnataka Congress' Suggestion To Set Up 'Fact-Checking' Unit

About a week ago, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and IT minister Priyank Kharge announced that the state will be setting up a unit to 'fact-check' news and mete out punishment to those who spread misinformation.

On 27 August, the Editors Guild of India (EGI) issued a statement of concern.

The EGI note read: "EGI notes with concern, some aspects of Karnataka govt’s decision to set up a ‘fact-checking unit’ to monitor ‘fake news’. We urge all govts to ensure such units are independent of executive control and their scope and powers are specified so as to not trample upon press freedom."

The purported aim of the unit is to tackle fake news. This unit will fall under the authority of the Ministry of Information Technology and Biotechnology, as disclosed by its minister, Priyank Kharge.

In the same report, the Chief Minister is quoted outlining a three-tier approach to address the problem:

1. Identifying the 'syndicates' responsible for spreading fake news.

2. Curbing the dissemination of false information.

3. Imposing 'stringent punishments' on those responsible.

Karnataka Minister for Information Technology Priyank Kharge further indicated that his department would require support from the state government when it came to tackling the law and order issues caused by 'fake news'.

Media reports suggest that the proposed fact-check unit will primarily consist of nodal officials, a fact-finding committee, a capacity-building team, and an overseeing committee.

EGI has expressed their concern stating that the executive will have the sole authority to verify what is fake-news. This may clamp down 'dissent' and silence many voices, they state.