CM Siddaramaiah calls for united action against fake news, warns of legal consequences
Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has issued a stern warning, stating that the government will take strong legal action against individuals spreading fake news. Speaking at the district journalists' association's Press Day and award ceremony on Saturday, he expressed concern over the growing threat of misinformation, urging society to come together to tackle the issue.
The Chief Minister stressed that while laws have been put in place to penalize those responsible for spreading fake news, legal measures alone are not enough. He stressed on the need for a collective effort to combat the rise of misinformation. "Laws are crucial, but it is the responsibility of society as a whole to reject fake news and ensure that truth prevails," he said.
Citing a personal example, Siddaramaiah recalled an incident during an assembly session where he quoted former CM BS Yediyurappa, who had asked, "Do we have a printing machine to print currency to waive loans?" However, a distorted version of the statement was later circulated on social media, falsely attributing the comment to Siddaramaiah and linking it to the state's guarantee schemes. "This false information not only misled the public but caused harm to me and society as a whole," he remarked.
The CM also highlighted the government's efforts to counter misinformation, announcing the formation of special fact-check units in every district. These units are tasked with identifying and addressing the spread of fake news, with the goal of preserving truth and transparency in public discourse.
"Freedom of expression is a fundamental right granted by our Constitution," Siddaramaiah said, adding that if misinformation threatens the three branches of the Constitution—legislative, executive, and judiciary—society itself will be in danger.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
