Indian Newspaper Society seeks withdrawal of new rules on fact-checking

According to INS, the modification would have the effect of granting the government or its designated agency “absolute” and “arbitrary” control over whether or not its own work was phoney.

The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) urged the Centre to abandon the information technology rules modification that was notified on April 6 because it would give the government or its established agency “absolute” and “arbitrary” power to determine whether or not its own work was fake and to order its removal from online platforms.

Before making any announcement that might seriously affect the media industry and its credibility, it also sought “widespread and meaningful consultations with stakeholders, such as media organizations and press bodies.”

The amendment gives the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, or MeitY, permission for establishing a fact-checking unit that will identify information that is “fake, false, or misleading” in regards to “any business of the Central government.” Additionally, the unit will have the power to direct intermediaries, such as social media sites, Internet service providers (ISPs), and other service providers, to stop hosting or removing such content.