Karnataka's IT Minister Priyank Kharge says 'fact-checking unit' not meant to impinge on press freedom

The establishment of a proposed fact-checking unit is in no way an attempt to impinge upon press freedom, Karnataka State IT Minister Priyank Kharge said Tuesday, while acknowledging the concerns raised by the Editors Guild of India (EGI) about the scope and authority of the state-level watchdog.

The EGI is a non-profit organisation of news editors in the country.

As per Kharge, "posts and reports that are tagged as fake by the fact-checking unit will be taken down," and "if required, the government can also take penal measures under relevant provisions of the IPC."


The Guild has already filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, challenging the amendments to the IT Rules 2023 that allow setting up of a fact-checking unit under which the executive will have sole authority to determine what is fake - and have the powers to order content takedown.

Kharge in his response to EGI said "the online realm faces a challenge of misinformation and fake news, necessitating the implementation of measures to address this issue."

While giving assurance to the EGI, he said, "I wish to reassure the esteemed organisation that our fact-checking unit will uphold an apolitical stance, devoid of bias and will transparently explain the methodologies employed to the public."

Kharge said the state is in the process of establishing independent bodies that will be enlisted to assist the State in combating fake news and misinformation.

"Rest assured, we will diligently follow the tenets of natural justice. Let it be clear that the establishment of this unit is in no way an attempt to impinge upon the freedom of the press," Kharge said.

In response, the EGI and its general secretary Anant Nath said, "Thank you minister Priyank Kharge for acknowledging our concerns. We look forward to a dialogue and consultation on this."

Nath is the editor of The Caravan magazine.

At the central government level, the undertaking given by the Centre to the Bombay High Court to not constitute its Fact Check Unit has been extended to September 4.

This pertains to a case being heard regarding the constitutionality of the Information Technology (Amendment) Rules, 2023 in a PIL filed by political satirist Kunal Kamra and the Association of Indian Magazines.

The Editors Guild of India has also filed a petition against the amendment.

"The Editors Guild of India notes with concern, some aspects of the recent decision of the Karnataka state government to set up a 'fact-checking unit' to monitor 'fake news' on social media platforms," EGI's statement on Sunday had said.