Draconian to deliberate misinformation: How govt, oppn see new fact-check unit to be

Under attack over fact-check provisions of IT Amendment Rules, Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday dismissed criticism as "deliberate misinformation".

Chandrashekar's remarks came in response to CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury describing Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules as "draconian", "unacceptable" and one that gave "sweeping powers" to Press Information Bureau to "censor content" on social media platforms.

Besides Yechury, Congress leer Pawan Khera and Shiv Sena (UBT) leer Priyanka Chaturvedi also slammed IT Amendment Rules as a "new way to restrict news critical of government".

"re are NO Sweeping powers - neir is it 'draconian'. IT Rules alrey have provisions from Oct 2022, which mandate Social Media intermediaries to not carry certain s of content if y are to have legal immunity under Sec79 of IT act," Chandrasekhar said on Twitter.

He said new credible fact-checking unit for all government-related content will help  social media intermediaries.

"Social Media intermediaries will have option to follow or disregard fact checking finding. If y choose to disregard fact checking, only consequence is that concerned department can pursue legal remedy against social media intermediary," minister said.

Chandrasekhar said goal of government was to ensure that Internet was safe and trusted for all citizens.

minister asked "Comre Yechury" to direct his "draconian" tweets at Left Front government in Kerala led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan "who raids media channels".

Hitting back at opposition, Chandrasekhar recalled use of Section 66A of IT Act during UPA government to "jail" young cartoonists for drawing cartoons.

"To Comre Yechury, Comre Rahul and all or Lefties and latest entrant Uddhav's party with no name. Even as you two (or 3) besties try hard to misrepresent & lie about our serious work at creating a misinformation-free Internet in India whilst protecting fundamental rights, let me remind you of your joint terrible draconian record on free speech Eg Use of Sec66A of IT act - where young cartoonists were sent to jail for cartoons," minister said.

Earlier, Khera h said new IT Rules make government "judge, jury and executioner" when it comes to monitoring content on social media platforms.

"y are afraid of voices of dissent, y are afraid of questions, y are afraid of anybody who can corner m with ir questions or with ir facts. news rules are on online platforms where PIB will decide what is fake and what is not fake," Khera said.

Chaturvedi said IT Amendment Rule was a new way of restricting any news critical of government.  

"Silencing opposition and opposing voices is now complete. Me brocast and print media toothless, now social media platforms will be me defunct," said Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha member. 

On Thursday, Chandrasekhar h said that IT ministry will notify an entity that will flag false information posted online pertaining to government.

"Government has decided to notify an entity through Meity and that organisation n would be fact checker for all aspects of content online and only those content that are related to government," Chandrasekhar h said. PTI SKU