Coming Soon: Fact-checking cell in Karnataka to curb fake news, check spread of hate on social media

The chief minister said on Twitter that he has given strict instructions to the authorities to trace the sources of fake news and identify the people spreading them on social media.

ಅಭಿವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯದ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಫೇಕ್ ನ್ಯೂಸ್‌ಗಳನ್ನು ಹರಡುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಸಮಾಜದ ಸ್ವಾಸ್ಥ್ಯ ಕೆಡಿಸುವ ಕಿಡಿಗೇಡಿಗಳನ್ನು ಪತ್ತೆ ಹಚ್ಚಿ, ಕಾನೂನು ರೀತ್ಯ ಕಠಿಣ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆಗೆ ಒಳಪಡಿಸುತ್ತೇವೆ..
ಎಚ್ಚರಿಕೆ..!!

ರಚನಾತ್ಮಕ ಟೀಕೆಗಳಿಗೆ ನಾವು ಮುಕ್ತರಿದ್ದೇವೆ, ಆದರೆ ಸುಳ್ಳು ಸುದ್ದಿಗಳ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿ ಮತ್ತು ಹರಡುವಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ನಾವು ಖಂಡಿತಾ… pic.twitter.com/ovV1WqJw2u

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) June 20, 2023

Siddaramaiah had an elaborate discussion in this regard with Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, who met him on Tuesday. The chief minister noted that, back in 2013, when the Congress came to power, the menace of fake news had increased.

He said that the party’s political opponents were adopting the same strategy this time around too.

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Preparing for the Lok Sabha elections

As the Lok Sabha elections are approaching, attempts to spread fake news are being made and unrest is being created in society, noted Siddaramaiah. In this regard, he has instructed that the sources of fake news should be identified at the initial stage and necessary steps should be taken to root them out.

Siddaramaiah also said that, previously, political opponents tried to create unrest in society by spreading false news. In this Assembly elections, the people of Karnataka have rejected the BJP and the Sangh Parivar in a clear and unequivocal manner, he noted.

“We are gearing up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which is essential for the survival of democracy in the country. But now, there are clear indications that attempts would be made to create mob attacks and riots through fake news and rumours. Therefore, instructions are given to take necessary action in this regard,” said Siddaramaiah.

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‘Previous fact checking unit dismantled by BJP’

Earlier, a technical team was put on the task in the Bangalore City Police Commissionerate and Police Headquarters to detect fake news, fact-check, warn, and create awareness among the public. However, the BJP government stopped fact-checking when it came to power, Siddaramaiah stated.

A senior police officer told South First that a team of policemen, who sat at both the city police commissioner’s office as well as the state police headquarters on Nrupathunga Road, were tasked with monitoring social media and television news channels.

“The teams would be seated in a control room-type set up, monitoring multiple television screens that broadcast national news and vernacular news from across the state. They would also browse through social media accounts for trending topics and posts that go viral,” the police officer said.

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“If they stumbled on any controversial content by way of tweets, videos, photographs, audios, or Facebook posts, the team would work on fact-checking the content. It would subsequently put out information on whether it is fake or genuine on social media, and this was done to bring awareness among the members of the general public,” the officer explained.

Talking about the process this time around, Kharge said, “The fact-checking unit will not only be a fully operational department to monitor ‘fake news’ but will be able to pursue legal action with the support of the Home Department and the state police.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “The cyber police should work round-the-clock to trace the sources of fake news.” The chief minister has also instructed the concerned officials to submit a report in this regard every month.