INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
BENGALURU: With Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah authorising on Monday a fact-check unit in Karnataka, the IT-BT department has already
begun the process of drawing up standard operating procedures (SOP) to identify and label posts and reports on social and conventional media
as fake.Officials say the SOP will involve fact-checkers with the IT-BT department identifying fake news and alerting both social media
firms and the government-set up panel which will look into details
The government oversight panel will also include legal personnel who will vet news as fake and provide input on whether it will attract
provisions of the IPC and the IT policy.State IT and BT minister Priyank Kharge told reporters his department was in the process of
empanelling fact-checkers
It will also provide technological support to the home department, which will be the lead department in curbing fake news
"The home department and Karnataka police will implement the entire project," Priyank said
"The IT-BT department will only handhold where required."It is said the government will keep a close eye on a "syndicate" of fake news
circulators, which Congress believes is backed by BJP's IT cell
Priyank said there is no need for special legislation to implement the measure and a government order will suffice."All posts and reports
tagged as fake by the oversight committee and the fact-check unit will be taken down from social media and other media portals," Priyank
"If required, the government will also take penal measures under relevant provisions of the IPC."
