Information Disorder Tackling Unit

Published: 12th Oct, 2023

Context:

The Karnataka government has begun working on a unit that will scrutinise complaints and monitor the internet for misinformation and hate speech.

It comes against the backdrop of the Union government’s attempts to create its own fact-check unit.

What is Fake News?

Fake news refers to intentionally fabricated or misleading information presented as if it were real news.
It can be spread through traditional media sources like newspapers or television, but it is more commonly associated with social media platforms and other online sources.

About the Plan:

The plan to create such a unit — named the Information Disorder Tackling Unit — was first announced in June 2023.
Procedure:
- Before the fact check is made public, the review a single point of contact (SPOC), appointed by the state government, must first approve initiating a fact check.
SPOC will also determine if the content violates a social media platform’s policies, is illegal, or needs to be blocked.
- They will subsequently either inform the social media company, or lodge a complaint (with the police), or refer the matter to the central government to recommend blocking under Section 69A of the Information technology Act, respectively.
Members:
- The fact check team will consist of independent fact check agencies whose fact checks must be “unbiased and evidence based”.
- Its remit will be restricted to the jurisdiction of Karnataka.

Concerns:

Fact-checking in India can come from public submissions or proactive searches. State-appointed SPOCs must approve the fact-check process.
If needed, fact-checkers can request information from state departments. After analysis, an internal review takes place.
The final step involves review by the state-appointed SPOC, which may affect editorial independence due to multiple approvals.

Laws related to fake News:

The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 aim to tackle the dissemination of false or misleading information through the introduction of fact-checking units.
In light of the detrimental impact of fake news, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis, governments worldwide have recognized the urgency to combat this menace.
India, in particular, has experienced a surge in fake news related to the pandemic, making it crucial for the government to proactively address the issue.

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